Tyson Fury’s boxing career has been a rollercoaster since he left the sport in 2015. Facing Dillian Whyte for a world title fight on Saturday, both fighters seemed to be playing old school-style.
Whyte says, “Don’t treat me like a nobody.”
| London’s Wembley Stadium is the venue. Date: Saturday, April 23rd |
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Even for a boxer as immovable as heavyweight contender Dillian Whyte, being knocked out by your most-hated opponent has to hurt.
When Anthony Joshua stopped Whyte in the seventh round of their hard-fought fight in 2015, it might have taken the then-prospect down a different route, definitely not to becoming the co-headlining act with Tyson Fury at a sold-out Wembley Stadium on Saturday night.
“You would never believe that guy would come back to achieve what he has,” Dave Coldwell tells Sport. “You think about the AJ fight, he was knocked out in that fight, hanging over the bottom rope – you would never think that man would come back to do what he has.”
Coldwell, who is most known for guiding Tony Bellew to a world championship, had previously cornered Whyte.
Whyte is already a pay-per-view regular, a heavyweight attraction in a UK environment where real big-draw stars are hard to come by. He has recovered from two huge defeats in his career, to Anthony Joshua and then Russian Alexander Povetkin, and has gradually progressed with each ring appearance.
He takes against Fury for the first time in a world championship fight.
Coldwell describes Dillian as a “throwback fighter.” “He sees losing as a step in the journey. The results will come as long as you’re still ambitious and working hard. Dillian has developed and become a better fighter as a result of this.
“Many contemporary fighters lose a battle and lose their self-confidence as a result. Because they don’t feel they’ll be the warrior they previously believed they would be, they lower their ambitions and shift their objectives.”
How has Whyte progressed? ‘He’s never coasted.’
In 2015, Joshua knocked out his opponent Whyte in a stunning knockout.
At the time of the Joshua loss, Whyte was 27 years old and had a 16-0 record. His bitter opponent proceeded on his incredible path to become a two-time world champion, while Whyte was forced to start again.
And he did, primarily with the help of long-time coach Mark Tibbs. After his defeat to Joshua, Tibbs led Whyte to 11 consecutive victories before teaming up with Xavier Miller and Harold Knight.
“After the AJ defeat, Dillian cleaned himself off, came back to work, and searched for ways to improve,” Coldwell adds.
“He’s never sat on his laurels. He’s been chasing the WBC mandatory position for years, and throughout that time he’s had some fantastic bouts that have contributed to his experience, boxing expertise, and ring generalship. He has a better understanding of the game.”
Among the fighters he defeated were Derek Chisora, Joseph Parker, a former world champion, and seasoned competitor Povetkin. Whyte considers his boldness to be his greatest asset.
“I’ve arrived to the point where I’m willing to put everything on the line. I’m accustomed to taking chances, so it’s nothing new to me “According to Whyte. “I’ve been in a lot of different battles in various locations, and I’ve been the underdog in a lot of them. I’ve already gone through the wringer.”
Others have noticed, with SugarHill Steward, Fury’s trainer, saying Whyte has progressively grown into a significant danger in the division.
“I believe Dillian has matured significantly,” he adds. “Dillian Whyte’s jab seems to have improved significantly. That’s something I’m aware of, and I’m working with Tyson on it.”
“He isn’t a very gifted boxer, but he is consistent under duress and has a lot of power. You must constantly be on the lookout for Dillian. He has the ability to surprise people.”
What is Fury’s team expecting?
After Whyte’s defeat to Anthony Joshua, Mark Tibbs joined his team and led him to 11 consecutive wins.
Despite the fact that Whyte is a strong opponent, it looks that Fury has the capacity to teach his domestic adversary.
Despite the fact that the odds are in Fury’s favor, Steward said they have prepared for an aggressive opponent.
“I feel Dillian’s strength and build are what endangers him,” Steward adds.
“He’s a formidable opponent. He has the ability to get close to anybody. You should attempt to maintain your distance from him, but he approaches everyone. It’s not that he can’t do it; he certainly can.
“He can get close to anybody with a strong jab.” On the inside, he’s just as tough. He’s powerful when he’s near, which is how he catches everyone, on the inside with a massive shot.
“We’ve put in a lot of effort to be in complete control. That’s the strategy: maintain complete control at all times “he continues.
“We can display more of Tyson Fury’s true self.”
With Fury, Whyte can win a’shootout.’
Against Whyte, Fury defends his WBC belt.
In 32 bouts, Fury is unbeaten. ‘The Gypsy King’ showed practically every part of himself in three bouts with Deontay Wilder, from the nimble boxer to the knockout artist to the brawler.
Coldwell, on the other hand, believes that although Fury is undefeated, he hasn’t always seemed to be unstoppable.
“Tyson looked terrific in the second bout against Wilder, but he looked dreadful in the third fight,” he says. “If Dillian can get him into a battle like this, it’ll be a gunfight. In a shootout, you never know who will win.”
Whyte, who avenged his second career defeat to Povetkin in his previous bout in March 2021, believes Fury isn’t as exceptional as he claims.
“He’s a formidable opponent. He’s the first fighter of our generation to win all of the championships – he’s a great fighter, unbeaten, and a big man – but I don’t view him the way everyone else does, as a white 6ft 9in Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Joe Frazier mix who’s resurrected – I don’t see him that way “he declares
Despite Coldwell’s preference for Fury to win, the British coach believes Whyte has the skills to defeat him.
“Dillian isn’t going to try to outbox Tyson Fury,” adds Coldwell.
“Dillian has a fantastic body punch. The Bodysnatcher is his name. He’s got some nasty body punches. In this battle, I believe he must do so. That’s crucial if he can accomplish that in this battle. He has a lightning left hook when he shifts it over.
“However, his feet must be within range, and here is where the combat becomes difficult. It all depends on whether he can get his foot within range, and if he can’t, this will be a difficult task.”
