Dillian Whyte has batted away suggestions that he could end up securing a fight with former WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder if he defeats Anthony Joshua in the pair’s highly anticipated rematch on August 12th.
Whyte & Joshua will rekindle their rivalry from their days as amateur boxers. Whyte claimed a stoppage win before Joshua halted Whyte inside seven rounds in December 2015 as professional prizefighters.
Joshua has since gone on to become a two-time unified world heavyweight champion. Whyte eventually managed to secure a world title opportunity against Tyson Fury in April of last year and, succumbing to a highlight reel knockout by Fury at Wembley Stadium, London.
Joshua is subject to a provisional agreement to face divisional rival Wilder speculated to be held in December in Saudi Arabia, provided he comes through the rematch with Whyte victorious. Many believe that if Whyte defeats Joshua, he will inherit the task of facing Wilder in the desert of Saudi Arabia.
Whyte when speaking to BBC five live’s Steve Bunce, believes he will not get that opportunity if he is successful and that “win, lose or draw” Joshua will continue on his pursuit to face the “Bronze Bomber” Wilder.
“I don’t think so,” he answered.
“He’s already got a guarantee to fight Wilder win, lose or draw. That’s why they’re taking this fight. It’s a guarantee that the fight’s already made. He’s not taking this because, like he’s saying, he’s risking everything; they’re chatting rubbish. The fight’s guaranteed to win, lose or draw. He’s not really taking no risk. This fight is happening because of greed, really, which I’m grateful for.”
However, Whyte feels he has not been given the respect and treatment in which he feels he deserves he should be granted. Whyte argues that he should have fought once this year following his narrow win over Jermaine Franklin last December.
“It’s been ups and downs,” he said.
“I was expecting to be in my second fight this year already. Been up and down, but boxing’s tough. I’m used to the ups and downs in my life. It’s a shame to be one of the top fighters in the world [and] I’m still struggling like I was ten years ago. I don’t have to stand outside Camden Centre selling tickets in my dressing room back-to-back weekends before I’m about to go in there.
“It’s been tough. I haven’t been treated the way I should have been treated and getting the right respect I should’ve got, but it’s life. When it gives you lemons, you make lemonade, so I must be a lemonade master by now.”
