Dillian Whyte has no qualms about travelling to America to fight long-time heavyweight rival Deontay Wilder.
When Wilder held the WBC heavyweight crown, leading contender Whyte was unable to pin him down for a world title fight, but now the clamour is rising for a summer showdown between the heavy-handed and outspoken duo.
Fresh off his impressive four-round dismissal of Alexander Povetkin in their rematch in Gibraltar, Whyte says he would happily head to America to seal a grudge match with the big-punching Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KOs), who is still plotting his return after losing his WBC crown in seven rounds to Tyson Fury in February 2020.
Whyte-Wilder might not have a world title tag attached, but its allure is undeniable.
“I think the public demand for the Wilder fight is already there, to be honest,” Whyte (28-2, 19 KOs) told Sky Sports. “There’s a lot of demand for it already. But fighting in America doesn’t hurt and it does increase the profile and the interest, and a different fan base and following. It would be good to get a big fight in America in the summer.
“I’ll fight Wilder in [his home state of] Alabama, if that’s what is going to make him feel secure and safe enough to take the fight. If he wants, he can have the home judges, his hometown, whatever. I don’t care. I’d even fight him in his own home, the kitchen, the garage, the garden, wherever. I just want to get hold of him and hurt him.
“I’m going to go to fight, I’m going to give it my all, and be the best I can be. I always come to fight and leave it all in the ring. I’m coming for war. I’m coming to put on a destructive display. Wherever the fight is, whatever is going on, I’m cool.”
Whyte will have talks with promoter Eddie Hearn in the coming week to assess his next move, whether that will take place in the UK largely depends on the Covid-19 restrictions that currently prevent a live gate.
“It would be nice to fight back in England, but now with the crowd situation, we have to wait and see what’s the best option,” continued Whyte. “What’s more feasible, what brings me closer to the [Tyson] Fury fight and what is the next best move for my career. Let’s see if it’s America or England, or wherever. I just want to be busy and fight again.
“I’m long overdue a massive fight. It’s frustrating that Fury has been ducking me after Wilder ducked me for years. These guys are jokers. I’ve beaten more Ring Magazine Top 10 fighters than both of them put together. They’ve just been conning the public.”