Heavyweight contender Dillian Whyte (24-1, 17 KO’s) has revealed that arch-rival Dereck Chisora (29-8, 21 KO’s) could miss out on their highly-anticipated rematch – if a contract isn’t signed at some point this week.
Both men have made no secret of their dislike for one another, with a long-standing feud stretching back to Whyte’s closely-contested split decision victory in their first bout in December of 2016.
With a rematch heavily-rumoured in recent weeks, Whyte appears to be putting pressure on Chisora – now managed by former adversary David Haye – to close a deal; as he seeks to fight once more before the end of the year ahead of a first World title shot in 2019.
Speaking toSky Sports Whyte said: “I think it needs to be done this week, if it’s going to be him [Chisora].
“There’s other options on the table we are looking at. [Promoter] Eddie [Hearn] is speaking to a few people.
“Chisora is a fight the fans want to see, and it’s a fight I want to have, because I want to bash his head in, and just get the stoppage that I should have taken care of the first time around. Let’s see.” said ‘The Bodysnatcher’.
“There is a massive danger he will miss out on a career highest pay day. At the minute, as the deal stands, it’s getting worse.
“I’ve got options, he ain’t really got no options. The Anthony Joshua fight is there for me, there’s other fights that are there for me, and I’m just 30, so I’ve got many options.” Whyte finished.
With Whyte reportedly due to fight on December 22nd – the same night Josh Warrington defends his IBF World featherweight title against Carl Frampton on rival network BT Sport – the Brixton man is not short of potential options should a deal to face Chisora fall through.
Cuban danger man Luis Ortiz (29-1, 25 KO’s) and American contender Dominic Breazeale (19-1, 17 KO’s) are two possible alternatives for Whyte; with both men providing a respectable scalp – as well as potential mandatory slot for a World title challenge – should he emerge victorious.
With Ortiz ranked at #2 in the WBC rankings, and Breazeale the governing body’s current mandatory challenger, a win over either man would see Whyte in pole position for a shot at Deontay Wilder’s WBC World heavyweight crown.
However, with Wilder due to defend his title against lineal champion Tyson Fury on December 1st in Los Angeles, and a potential undisputed showdown with unified champion Anthony Joshua still reportedly on the table, it would seem Whyte has more interest in a money-spinning bout with Chisora in the mean time.
A bout with former-Wilder victim Ortiz has been previously rumoured for a number of months, however, the 30-year-old Whyte doesn’t appear to be overly-keen on a match-up against the Cuban – labelling him as “a desperate old man”.
“Ortiz is silly.” said Whyte.
“He [Ortiz] is just a desperate old man. The grandad needs some pension money, that’s all.”
Breazeale, who has rebounded with two comeback wins since being stopped in seven rounds by Anthony Joshua in June 2016, is widely considered to be next in line for a shot at Wilder’s WBC belt.
Although, should Whyte and promoter Eddie Hearn be able to coax the American into a bout, Whyte could find himself made mandatory challenger with a victory.
However, with Breazeale eligible for a World title shot – and Whyte believed to be the current front-runner for a rematch against Joshua in April 2019 – it is unlikely that either man would be willing to risk their current position against one another.
Article by: Andi Purewal
Follow Andi on Twitter at: @AndiPurewal