Top contender Dillian Whyte is targeting the big names in the heavyweight division.

One of the fighters that he would like to face is Tyson Fury, who views himself as the lineal heavyweight champion.

Fury is considered by some observers as the uncrowned champion, because he defeated Wladimir Klitschko by way of a twelve round decision in November of 2015. At the time Klitschko ruled the division, unbeaten, for over a decade.

But after that win, which saw Fury capture the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO world titles, the Gypsy King walked away from the sport due to personal reasons until the mid-point of 2018.

All of his belts are now owned by Anthony Joshua.

Whyte believes Fury should be listed as the fourth best heavyweight in the division. Whyte sees himself as the third, behind Joshua and WBC champion Deonta Wilder.

“There’s no lineal heavyweight championship. How can he be lineal heavyweight champion when he’s got no real title? That doesn’t make no sense. Come on man," Whyte told IFL TV.

“I fought top-10 fighters while he’s been off back-to-back, legit top-10 dangerous contenders. Two world champions, one current and one former. When [Joseph] Parker was fighting Joshua everyone was saying he was Joshua’s biggest test, he’s dangerous, Joshua struggled, he hurt Joshua. I went in there and bashed him up. I got hurt too but you know, let’s be honest - it’s one thing for me and one thing for another. Why?”

Whyte explains that he tried to get Fury in the ring for some time without success.

“Two years I’ve been trying to fight Joshua. These guys are good at tricking the public to make it look like I’m overvaluing myself and don’t want the fight," Whyte said.

“I’ve been trying to fight Tyson Fury for ages. To this day you know I’ve been trying to fight these guys. Eddie [Hearn] made offers. Eddie told him the plan, ‘Come back, have a warm-up fight, fight Dillian, fight [Tony] Bellew, fight Joshua, whatever.’ This is what Eddie’s telling me."