Whyte on WBC Promise: A Lot Gets Said But Not Much Gets Done

By Jake Donovan

Even with another win and a renewed promise from a sanctioning body that has strung him along for nearly two years, Dillian Whyte remains skeptical that a title shot is in his future. 

“We’ll see,” Whyte dismissively stated of the prospects of a title shot versus unbeaten Deontay Wilder materializing anytime soon.

It was the campaign headline throughout fight week, as promoter Eddie Hearn cornered the World Boxing Council (WBC) on the topic, getting the sanctioning body to commit an interim title for Saturday’s fight with Oscar Rivas.

Whyte held up his end, scoring his fourth straight win at the O2 Arena in London, England, though having to climb off the canvas to claim a clear-cut 12-round victory. The feat extended his current win streak to 10 in a row since a 7th round knockout loss to Anthony Joshua when both were unbeaten rising prospects heading into their Dec. 2015 clash.

The past two years, however, have been spent chasing after the WBC for a sensible response as to why he’s remained the top-rated contender but without a title shot to show for his efforts. No real answer was ever given, other than a consolation prize with his now being recognized as the division’s interim titlist.

On the surface, it should guarantee what has been denied. 

“He’s mandatory,” Hearn emphasized after his charge’s latest victory. “Dillian Whyte has worked so hard to get where he is today. He’s been the number one contender for more than 600 days. He could sit on (his mandatory ranking) but he won’t.”

According to the terms of Saturday’s fight, Whyte is due to a title shot by no later than next May. Wilder has already publicly declared his intentions to enter rematches with Luis Ortiz (whom he defeated last March) and Tyson Fury (with whom he fought to a draw last December), although neither fight has a confirmed date.

Wilder (41-0-1, 40KOs) satisfied one mandatory obligation, coming in his last fight when he knocked out Dominic Breazeale in one round this past May. The win earned him the right to enter a voluntary defense for at least his next fight, which is something Team Whyte will accept in the interim—but with hoped-for assistance in the battle fought outside of the ring. 

“We need the British public to stand behind him in support the resolution,” notes Hearn. “Before May 2020 he must fight for the WBC heavyweight championship. Right now, it’s about planning, he’ll fight again in November or December then by May 2020 for the WBC heavyweight title.”

Whyte (26-1, 18KOs) is certainly down for the former; the latter, however, has clearly reached see-it-to-believe-it status.

“A lot of things get said but not much gets done,” points out Whyte. “Mandatory position means I could be sitting on that ranking another 600 days.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox