Whyte Will Use Klitschko's Trainer For Joshua Bout

By Edward Chaykovsky

Dillian Whyte has confirmed that he hired Johnathon Banks, head trainer of WBA/IBO/IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.

Whyte returns on Saturday night in Hull, with Banks in his corner, and faces Irineu Beato Costa Junior. Whyte's previous trainer Chris Okoh was seriously injured in an accident.

"Yes, Dillian Whyte has been over sparring with Wladimir Klitschko and that is how I met him," said Banks to Sky Sports. "There was a lot of things. I saw him making mistakes at, so I started working with him, started correcting them.

"Then later on the down the line, he called me and asked me if I could start working with him permanently. I have got no problem with that. He’s got a lot of heart, a lot of determination, and he always wants to work. So anybody like that, it’s always a pleasure for me to work with. I believe Dillian can be a world champion. I think he can get to the world championship level."

Whyte and Banks will have a busy schedule. The unbeaten heavyweight has another return date on September 12, and then faces heavyweight rival Anthony Joshua at the end of the year.

"From the moment I started working with Johnathon, I knew he was the man, because for one, he’s the most experienced heavyweight trainer in the world at this moment," said Whyte.

"He’s helped Emanuel Steward train a lot of fighters over the years as well, so I knew it was the right move for me and the right time. I’m taking these fights serious. I know that there are still a lot of flaws in my game and I’m trying to correct them."