Whyte talks up claim to face Wilder for title

LONDON: Britain’s Dillian Whyte has offered to face Deontay Wilder after the WBC heavyweight champion’s proposed challenger, Luis Ortiz, failed a drugs test.

The Cuban tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide and chlorothiazide in a random test ahead of their November showdown in New York.

Ortiz, who also failed a drugs test in 2014, claimed the positive results are the result of prescription tablets he was using to treat high blood pressure.

But with that fight now in jeopardy Whyte, who made his US debut earlier this year and has been targeting a shot at Wilder’s belt for some time, has offered to step in at late notice.

“That is the fight I have been chasing; if they want the fight, I’m ready for it,” Whyte said.

“I’ve been training for four weeks already, I’m fighting on Oct 28, but if I got this it would give me an extra week to prepare. If they want it, they can have it.”

Whyte, who is yet to fight for a world title, was beaten by Anthony Joshua in an all-British grudge match back in 2015. He has since recorded five straight wins to reach No 3 in the WBC’s rankings — one place behind Ortiz.

But the London fighter fears Wilder will refuse to fight him — even if it means making less money.

“He turned down US$3.5 million (RM15 million) to face me to take US$1 million to face Luis Ortiz,” Whyte claimed. “I can’t understand that thinking.

“Knowing him he will probably end up fighting Bermane Stiverne (No 1 challenger who Wilder beat to win the WBC title in 2015) again, someone who he has already beaten, someone who hasn’t fought in a couple of years.”