Whyte: Bellew Won't Face Me, Povetkin is a Coward Too

Dillian Whyte is only a few days away from his showdown with former WBO heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker.

Whyte will face Parker on Saturday night at the O2 Arena in London.

A victory over Parker, who just went the distance with IBF, WBA, WBO, IBO champion Anthony Joshua in March, will certainly open up the doors for a major world title shot.

Beyond a fight with Parker, Whyte would love to get a showdown with Tony Bellew.

But he says Bellew has no interest in facing him or any other legitimate heavyweight.

In March 2017, Bellew moved up from the cruiserweight division and scored a shocking stoppage win over David Haye in eleven rounds. This past May, Bellew blew away Haye in five rounds in their anticipated rematch.

"I'll happily fight Tony Bellew any day of the week as anyone knows, if he wants to step in and fight a genuine heavyweight, which we know he doesn't," Whyte said on Sky Sports' Dillian Whyte: Heavy Duty.

"Bellew is trying to live his life. He's had a hard career, beating David Haye who was a cruiserweight as well. I'm just annoyed at the fact that's he's trying to campaign as a heavyweight, but there are certain heavyweights he doesn't want to fight."

Back in March, Whyte was ringside in Cardiff when Alexander Povetkin scored a fifth round knockout over David Price.

As soon as the fight concluded, Whyte challenged Povetkin  - and the Russian fighter accepted.

According to Whyte, Povetkin withdrew from their negotiations within two weeks.

That's no surprise, as Povetkin is now challenging Joshua at Wembley Stadium on September 22, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

"Alexander Povetkin is a great competitor in the heavyweight division, but he's also a coward," said Whyte.

"He came over and knocked out my countryman David Price. I offered him out there and then, he agreed to fight me, him and his team. Two weeks later, they pull out of the fight. All I wanted to do was set the record straight. I thought David Price was very close to beating him, and I just wanted to go out there and knock him out for the British fans, and knock him out for David Price."