British boxing icon Ricky Hatton believes Dillian Whyte is long overdue a mega-fight and would have a great chance against American rival Deontay Wilder.
When WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury tested positive for Covid-19 and pulled out of his July 24 trilogy bout with Wilder, Interim belt holder Whyte immediately (but unrealistically) offered to step in to face the ‘Bronze Bomber’ with whom he shares a longstanding rivalry.
The duo have traded blows on social media for many years, but never in the ring, with long-time WBC No.1 contender Whyte caught in a frustrating but unrealised pursuit when Wilder was that organisation’s champion. Fury-Wilder III has now been rearranged for October 9, but Hatton would have loved to see Brixton’s Whyte gain that opportunity, having avenged a shock defeat to Alexander Povetkin and regained pole position with the WBC.
“There is nothing I would love more than to see Dillian get his chance because he seems to have been No.1 contender forever and a day,” Hatton told Metro. “Granted, he got beat by Alexander Povetkin, which was a disaster, but he put that right.
“He would have no fear fighting Wilder. I know Wilder can certainly hit. But Dillian will go in there fearless and would have a great chance.
“Get Dillian in [a big fight] so hopefully he can do the business against Wilder and amid all this farting around with [rival heavyweight champions Anthony] Joshua and Tyson. Let Dillian fight AJ again! Or Tyson fight Dillian! At least it gives British fight fans something they can get their teeth into. It is really frustrating.”