Whyte’s focus on Chisora, not champion Joshua
Heavyweight Dillian Whyte has ruled out a rematch with Anthony Joshua worth millions of pounds at Wembley in April, given that he must win another rematch first – against Dereck Chisora at the O2 Arena on Saturday.
Whyte and Chisora took park in an old-fashioned ding-dong over 12 rounds in Manchester two years ago, arguably the most entertaining all-British heavyweight fight seen on these shores, with Whyte winning by the narrowest of margins.
Whyte has honed his skills since, Chisora has become a born-again Christian, so threats may not be brandished and tables thrown this time in fight week.
The last time out, they were both fined by the British Boxing Board for their antics.
“I said a few things and he snapped. I’m cool. My energy is good, it is directed at training hard. It doesn’t matter if he throws a table at me or not,” said Whyte this week. “I am older, more put together mentally and physically. If he shakes my hand, saves my kid’s life tomorrow, I am still going to punch him in the face on Saturday.”
The victor may well get a crack at Joshua and all of his world belts. “I look at what is in front of me and what I can deal with now, and that isn’t Anthony Joshua,” added Whyte. “He’s doing his thing, he’s got four belts and I’ve got none. I’m chasing belts. I’m highly ranked and after I beat Chisora I should be No1 with at least four of the governing bodies.
“I’ll fight anyone, I don’t hide. It is going to be a good fight but I am going to make Dereck bleed this time.”
Meanwhile, Carl “the Jackal” Frampton has rated Josh Warrington as only the fourth-best world featherweight champion as the Northern Irishman prepares for their title showdown in Manchester on Saturday.
“[Of ] the four world champions at the minute, Josh Warrington is No 4,” said Frampton of the International Boxing Federation title holder.
“Gary Russell, Leo Santa Cruz and Oscar Valdez [the other belt holders] are all ahead of Warrington in terms of career achievements. But I believe I can beat any one of them. I am the No1 featherweight.”