Heavyweight boxer Dillian Whyte has hit back at claims that the shoulder injury which took him out of his scheduled Otto Wallin fight was fake or planned.
This weekend we were set to see Whyte and Wallin square off with the winner likely progressing to a 2022 world title showdown with Tyson Fury. Whyte was coming off the back of a revenge win over Alexander Povetkin whereas Wallin has already fought Fury in a contest he came close to winning as a result of a nasty cut for “The Gypsy King”.
Now, with Wallin and his camp questioning the legitimacy of Whyte’s injury and claiming he pulled out purely to secure a bout with Fury, “The Villain” has given his version of events.
“People know I don’t pull out of fights,” he said.
“My shoulder just completely shut down – I was in pain. Come out of the ring and said something’s not right here.
“I wanted to fight. I begged them to fight. If I need surgery after, I need surgery after. I’ve done it before, nothing new to me.”
Is Whyte the real mastermind?
“It’s Wallin or Fury next. Of course Wallin is going to be upset. He’s spent money he thought he was going to earn. Many times I’ve had fights fall through, you can’t be upset.
After an MRI scan on his shoulder today and consultation with the specialist, unfortunately @dillianwhyte is not fit to fight on October 30. The show will proceed without Dillian and we look forward to seeing him back in the ring shortly ? pic.twitter.com/bEz0UOOTJ8
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) October 20, 2021
“If a potential better opportunity comes up, I’ve been waiting to fight for the world title. I’m not going to put it off to fight Otto Wallin.”
Regardless of whether or not Dillian Whyte did or didn’t exaggerate this injury, the way boxing works has ensured that he’s the one who benefits. From his mandatory status to the tension that he’s had with Fury in recent years, the 33-year-old understands that this could be one of his final opportunities to make a splash on the world stage.
Like it or not, if the Fury fight falls in his lap, he’s going to take it.
Featured image credit: Getty