Whyte Rejects Idea of Step-Aside Deal To Allow Fury-Joshua

Heavyweight contender Dillian Whyte has rejected the idea of a taking a step-aside deal to allow a full division unification between world champion Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

Whyte is the mandatory challenger to Fury's WBC heavyweight title.

Pursuant to a WBC order from 2019, Whyte has to receive his mandatory shot by February 2021.

Whyte returns on August 22 in Brentwood, against former WBA champion Alexander Povetkin.

Fury has to take part in a trilogy fight with Deontay Wilder on December 19, with Joshua defending his WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO world titles against mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev in the coming months.

The teams behind Fury and Joshua have had ongoing discussions to face each other in 2021, as part of a two-fight series. Some of the financial particulars have already been agreed upon.

But if the champions win their bouts and intend to move forward with a planned bout - Whyte will stand his ground in getting his WBC title shot beforehand, and he won't entertain any step-aside money, as he strongly feels that he's waited long enough to get his opportunity to fight for the full title.

"Nah, there's to be no step-aside. I’ve waited long enough," Whyte told The Telegraph.

"I’m not getting any younger, I’m getting older. I just want to be world champion and reign and unify.

"So the sooner I can get the world title the sooner I can go about that. So, no I’m not looking to step aside at all."