Dillian Whyte is not playing around about getting his title shot!
Dillian Whyte (27-1, 18 KOs) is the interim heavyweight champion and mandatory contender according to the WBC and is hell-bent on acquiring his shot at the WBC world title. Moreover, He’s willing to go through all avenues to get what he feels he’s earned and deserves.
This now includes Whyte taking legal action against the World Boxing Council (WBC), something Mauricio Suliaman, president of the organization, confirmed during an interview with Sky Sports.
“There is a procedure with regards to the date of the mandatory in the heavyweight division. Upon direct advice of WBC legal counsel, I am not in a position to discuss any further.”
The action taken by the 32-year-old is in response to the June 10 announcement that current WBC champion Tyson Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs) has agreed in principle to a two-fight deal against unified champion Anthony Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs) in 2021.
THE BACKSTORY
Whyte earned the mandatory position with a decision win over Oscar Rivas in July 2019. However, his status was temporarily suspended by the sanctioning body due to a doping investigation.
While cleared of any wrongdoing in December 2019, the WBC gave the mandatory spot to Fury who went on to score a seventh round TKO over then-champion Deontay Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KOs) to win on February 22.
Fury and Wilder are due to fight for a third time later this year.
The organization has now ruled that Whyte is due a title shot by February 2021. The interim champion’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has stated that his fighter should face the winner of Fury – Wilder III in early 2021.
However, Fury’s co-promoter, Bob Arum, is now talking about petitioning the WBC to delay the champion’s mandatory defense. Fury himself has dismissed Whyte calling him a “low-profile fighter who is looking for a payday”.
So with the fear of having his world title shot pushed back even further, the Brixton big man feels he’s left with no recourse.
Given all the hurdles he’s had to jump and his previous battles with the WBC, can you blame him?
Whyte is scheduled to defend the interim title against Alexander Povetkin later this summer!
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
