The WBC has officially ordered negotiations for a contest between Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte, giving boxing fans one of the biggest fights in British history if it can be finalised.
The announcement looks to have ended any speculation of an undisputed world title matchup between the ‘Gypsy King’ and Oleksandr Usyk in the immediate future. The Ukrainian will instead begin preparations for his eagerly-anticipated rematch with Anthony Joshua.
How big a fight is Fury vs Whyte?
Fans may feel slightly disappointed that they won’t get to see a collision between the division’s two kings. However, that would likely change if the two renowned trash talkers get the opportunity to exchange verbals at a press conference.
The two heavyweights had formed a solid friendship following extensive time training together. But when the ‘Body Snatcher’ began to claim to Sky Sports that he had dropped Fury several times in sparring, the bond between the pair shattered.
He said: “I’ve definitely laid him out before. I’ve put him on his bottom. I’m not scared of Tyson Fury.”
The lineal heavyweight champion has never denied the rumours. Therefore, fans can only speculate as to whether there’s any truth in Whyte’s claims.
But irrespective of whether this happened in sparring or not, competing under the bright lights is an entirely different kettle of fish. We’ll have to wait until the fight – if finalised – to find out if Whyte can replicate what allegedly happened in the gym.
Why has the ‘Body Snatcher’ had to wait so long for his opportunity?
The Londoner has been awaiting his title shot for what has seemed like a lifetime. He initially claimed the number one spot with the WBC by outpointing Robert Helenius in 2017. But it wasn’t until he fought Lucas Browne that the public realised that he could compete with the best.
His terrifying stoppage win over ‘Big Daddy’ was just the start of the sensational run he would go on. In his next three outings, he defeated Joseph Parker, secured bragging rights over Dereck Chisora and outpointed Oscar Rivas.
It seemed that his super fight was on the horizon until he suffered a shocking knockout defeat to Alexander Povetkin. The ageing Russian lifted Whyte off his feet with a brutal uppercut that rendered the Brixton man unconscious.
It may appear that Whyte has been unfortunate to have had to wait for so long. However, the heavyweight has turned down opportunities in the past.
He chose not to take the WBC and the IBF up on their offers of final eliminators with Luis Ortiz and Kubrat Pulev.
He also shockingly dismissed a £4 million offer to fight Anthony Joshua for the three belts that he held at the time. Andy Ruiz stepped up that night and went on to cause one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.
But this may all be rendered irrelevant, as Whyte looks set to have his opportunity.
Fury would be a huge favourite with the bookmakers. His movement would almost definitely leave the slow-footed Whyte in a world of trouble. However, if the underdog could begin to land to the body and find a home for his notorious left hook, there would be a genuine chance of a monumental upset.
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