Following his closely fought win over Jermaine Franklin, Dillian Whyte is looking to have a statement 2023.
‘The Bodysnatcher’ finally got a world title shot last year, but fell short via a Tyson Fury uppercut in the sixth round of their Wembley contest. Since then, he’s returned to the ring to relieve Franklin of an undefeated record via a points decision.
At 35-years-old, Whyte is keen to climb back to the top of the division for another crack at championship honours before all’s said and done. He also wants to right wrongs of the past, and is openly seeking rematches with Anthony Joshua and Fury.
Whilst Eddie Hearn – who promotes Joshua and has a good working relationship with Whyte – is said to be keen to stage that ‘AJ’ rematch in summer, the 29-3 fighter from Brixton recently said there had been no real talks on the matter behind the scenes.
Whyte told SportsMail that he has been approached by Hearn about the potential of a trilogy with Derek Chisora, though. It’s an idea, he says, he hasn’t shut down.
The pair have fought twice before in punishing domestic heavyweight thrillers. Whyte took the win, somewhat contentiously, via split decision on the first occasion back in 2016.
He left no doubt in the rematch though, with a stunning left hook ending proceedings in the eleventh of their 2018 contest. Not only was the in-ring action absorbing, the build-ups were fun too – a table was thrown, and one of the most iconic and confusing warnings in the history of the sport was delivered by Chisora.
It’s easy to see why a trilogy might appeal to the promoter, then.
Chisora is also coming off the back of a stoppage loss to Tyson Fury, and a fight with Whyte may provide a closer level of competition for the 39-year-old to bow out on a high. Having said that, it does little for Whyte’s standing in the division – something he’s keen to keep building on.