WBC Interim heavyweight champion Dillian Whyte has confirmed that unbeaten American Jermaine Franklin is under consideration as his next opponent.
Having reignited his career with a fourth-round, revenge stoppage of former conqueror Alexander Povetkin in March, Whyte (28-2, 19 KOs) is planning to box in the US to drum up interest in major fights.
Michigan’s undefeated but untested Franklin (20-0, 13 KOs) appears to fit the bill, after it was revealed two weeks ago that he was in the frame to face the Brixton puncher.
“Jermaine Franklin is in the running,” Whyte told Sky Sports. “There are a few other guys in the running as well, so we’re just waiting to see what is going on.
“The plan is to have the biggest and the best fights I can wherever they are. I’ve been chasing the big fights for a long time.
“I’m willing to fight anyone, but it’s been hard getting the challenges I want. I’ve been trying to fight [Deontay] Wilder for 600 years. I’ve been trying to fight Tyson Fury, I’ve been trying to fight [Anthony] Joshua, I’ve been trying to fight Andy Ruiz, I’ve been trying to fight Luis Ortiz.
“I’ve been trying to fight all of these guys but none of them wants to fight, so I have to take the next available dangerous contenders down the list. If it’s America, then let’s go!”
Main image: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing.