Whyte targets Oscar victory to become a global A-lister
There have been times recently when Dillian Whyte has railed against the situation he finds himself in. Frozen out of a major world title challenge, Whyte, 31, calls heavyweight boxing “a joke”, after sitting on top of the World Boxing Council rankings for over 300 days while the merry-go-round involving Deontay Wilder, the WBC champion, and Tyson Fury has ensued.
However, that situation may change soon. The Brixton brawler set pulses racing in 2018 with brilliant wins over Lucas Browne, Dereck Chisora and Joseph Parker, all at the O2 Arena. Whyte returns there on Saturday, where he meets unbeaten Oscar Rivas for the interim WBC title. The Colombian, 26-0 in a 10-year career, is a clever boxer with decent power and speed.
Wilder, meanwhile, is expected to fight again in September or October against Luis Ortiz, and is being lined up for a rematch against Fury in February. Whyte must beat Rivas, play the waiting game and be ready. He is ranked No1 challenger by the WBC, and placed at No3 by the World Boxing Organisation and World Boxing Association, but may well look back on earlier in the year and lament not signing to fight Anthony Joshua at Wembley in April.
Whyte stood to earn close to £6.5million according to promoter Eddie Hearn, and had the opportunity to claim three of the world title belts. Instead, it is Andy Ruiz Jr, the MexicanAmerican, who now enjoys the spoils after his shock defeat of Joshua at Madison Square Garden on June 1.
“I’m probably the most underestimated boxer in the world,” Whyte said. “People always talk some rubbish every time I fight them. We see it time and time again. I’ve done nothing but praise Oscar Rivas. This for Rivas is his world title. He thinks everyone is overlooking him and he’s going to prove this and he’s going to prove that. I do that every fight. This isn’t a fight that I’m going to change my mindset for. It’s been like this my whole career.”
The O2 Arena is Whyte’s fortress and his performances there – in seven of his past 11 fights going back to his sole career defeat by Joshua in 2015 – have turned him into a popular figure in British boxing. “Rivas can look out for my left hook, but I’ve got a massive arsenal of other punches. Hopefully, he’ll be looking for the left hook and that will leave him open,’’ said Whyte.
Meanwhile, at the O2 Arena last night, Rio Olympic Games superheavyweight silver medallist Joe Joyce claimed a points victory after being taken the distance for the first time in his ten-fight career by former world title contender Bryant Jennings. Briton Joyce was the aggressor throughout, but could not stop the durable yet unambitious American. Joyce took the bout by unanimous decision 118-109, 117-110 and 115-112 on the judges’ cards.
Dillian Whyte v Oscar Rivas for the interim WBC heavyweight title is live on Sky Sports on Saturday, July 20.