British heavyweight Dillian Whyte, and his promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom, are pushing hard to secure a February showdown in London with WBC kingpin, Deontay Wilder (38-0, 37 KOs).
Whyte returns on Saturday night in a battle with Robert Helenius as part of the Anthony Joshua vs. Carlos Takam undercard in Cardiff, Wales.
Wilder is back on November 4th, when he defends his title in a rematch with Bermane Stiverne at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Wilder is willing to do the fight, if it guarantees him a unification with Joshua in the summer.
But several experts spoke with Sky Sports and believe Wilder will come out on top against Whyte.
Heavyweight contender Tony Bellew would like to see Whyte get a shot, but he believes Wilder will knock him out.
"I am going to give Whyte credit on this. He never gives me any credit and he always slates me, but fair play to him, he has come out and said he wants to face him. If the people around Wilder think he is the best heavyweight in the world, take on Dillian and try do a better job than Joshua did on him? I would put him on the same level, technically, as Wilder, but he is not on the same level when it comes to power. Wilder has the longest reach in boxing and it is the explosive rawness that would decide it. I think Wilder would knock him out but I would love to see Whyte get a shot," Bellew said.
Former two division champion Paulie Malignaggi would rather see Whyte face Jarrell Miller - and then the winner goes against Wilder.
"Dillian Whyte has good a chance against anyone. He always comes to fight, he always seems to bring his A-game when he needs it and he is a very tough competitor. He's also a very mean fighter as well which makes him dangerous in that ring," Malignaggi said.
"I would like to see him and Wilder fight and although I would favour Wilder, just because of that knockout power, he would certainly have a chance. It would be great to see him fight 'Big Baby' Miller first and the winner takes on Wilder. Miller is one of the best trash-talkers we've got, Whyte isn't bad and it would not only be a fun build-up but a fun fight as well."
Veteran coach David Coldwell is willing to give Whyte a shot at getting the upset - but at this moment he doesn't feel Whyte is ready for such a fight - even if he looks impressive against Helenius.
"I like Dillian's attitude, forget about heavyweights, there's not many fighters these days with the attitude that he has - that say 'I will fight anyone, pay me the money and I will go in and beat them'. It's rare and great to see. Whether or not his fights so far are going to prepare him for Wilder, I'm not so sure, but then again Wilder, apart from his power, is not the greatest of boxers. I wouldn't discount Dillian in the fight, he would be a live underdog, not a favourite. The jump from Helenius to Wilder might just be too much at this moment," Coldwell said.
