Dillian Whyte has accepted a fight with fast-rising power puncher Moses Itauma, who seems destined to become the next big thing in the heavyweight division.
Dillian Whyte‘s career has been hot and cold lately, with the last few years being more cold than hot.
‘The Bodysnatcher’ has done little of note since his loss to Tyson Fury, winning a majority decision against Jermaine Franklin and having two tune-up fights against lackluster opposition in Christian Hammer and Ebenzer Tetteh, who scored a punchless KO once.
He’s withdrawn from two fights in the last few years, one of which being a rematch with Anthony Joshua, which he stepped down from after testing positive for a banned substance.
As a result, Whyte has now taken a fight with Moses Itauma, a 12-0 heavyweight who has heard nothing but praise from fans and fighters alike.
Mark Tibbs isn’t ruling Dillian Whyte out against Moses Itauma
Despite his lack of experience at the level Whyte has spent much of his career at, Itauma is the clear favorite in the fight, which will take place in Saudi Arabia on August 16th.
Mark Tibbs, Whyte’s former coach, caught up with Boxing News earlier today, and gave his thoughts on the fight, which came as a surprise to him:
“I didn’t think he would take like a step up fight, a young guy’s step up fight like that, but good luck to him, he must be getting well-paid, […] but I’d much rather see him fight AJ, but that’s because I had sort of an emotional investment in him.”
Regarding Whyte’s chances of success, Tibbs said: “Listen, he’s got the experience to cause an upset, Dillian, for sure, crafty old campaigner. It’s a good fight for Moses as well, see where he’s at, because he’s never fought no one as experienced as Dillian.”
Tibbs did say he makes Itauma the favorite, though. Lawrence Okolie thinks Itauma will KO Whyte early, and Dave Allen thinks an Itauma KO is on the cards too.
Dillian Whyte holds a little-known win over Anthony Joshua
Whilst many remember Anthony Joshua‘s KO win over Whyte for the British title, few will know that the pair had actually fought before, and their rivalry was born not in 2015, but six years earlier, before either man was a pro.
Joshua and Whyte fought in the amateurs in 2009, with Whyte winning a unanimous decision over the British boxing legend.
With the pair technically one win apiece, a rematch would’ve been the true decider, though it seems that is now off the cards for good.
Eddie Hearn did state that Whyte was the frontrunner for Joshua’s next fight, but took the Itauma fight instead.