Dillian Whyte’s emphatic KO defeat to Alexander Povetkin has scotched his immediate plans of a world title shot. But there is a glimmer of hope for the future.
On the brink of rubberstamping a mandated shot at WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in early 2021, Whyte’s loss saw him fall back into the chasing pack.
The South Londoner must privately rue turning down a June 2019 title shot and reported £4 million payday against old rival Anthony Joshua, an assignment accepted and won by Andy Ruiz in a huge upset.
Yet WBA Super, WBO and IBF champion Joshua, who decisioned Ruiz in their December 2019 rematch and halted the Brixton banger in December 2015, won’t rule out Whyte receiving another opportunity given their longstanding rivalry.
“As long as I am champion, he always has a chance,” Joshua told 5 Live Boxing on the BBC. “I offered Dillian to fight me in 2019 before I fought Andy Ruiz Jr. He turned it down. Dillian, if you want that world title shot and I haven’t got any obligations, then come and get this work.”
Whyte shouldn’t hold his breath. Joshua, of course, has an IBF mandatory obligation against Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev before a projected two-fight series with WBC king Fury, beginning in 2021. WBO No.1 contender Oleksandr Usyk is also waiting in the wings, having previously stepped aside before the disruptive influence of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Joshua believes Whyte got complacent and paid a heavy price against veteran Povetkin. “I believe if you smell or see a drop of blood you have to take them out. If you leave it a round or two you just don’t know,” said Joshua. “If a man gets a hope and a lifeline he might just bounce back. If I see you hurt, I am going to blitz you and Dillian needs to get back to that mindset.
“The last thing you lose is your power. Povetkin is a bit shaky on the legs but the foundations these guys have, I don’t think you can give them an inch of hope. They will take any opportunity, and opportunity matched with power is knockouts.”
Main image: Joshua stops Whyte in seven in December 2015. Photo: Matchroom.