What is Dillian Whyte’s route to a world title?

Interim WBC champion wants heavyweight title

Dillian Whyte could be among the first fighters to get back in the ring once boxing returns – and he may be set for a career-defining year.

The 32-year-old hasn’t fought since December, when he beat Mariusz Wach, and he was due to defend his interim WBC title against Alexander Povetkin in Manchester in July.

But with British sport currently on hold, that fight will have to wait for the time being.

Whyte has made no secret of his desire to become a heavyweight champion and has called out former opponent Anthony Joshua on a number of occasions.

However, AJ appears to have bigger fish to fry meaning Whyte may have to bide his time or take a different route.

Alexander Povetkin

Before taking on one of the title holders, Whyte will have to get past Povetkin – and it could be in an unfamiliar venue.

When boxing finally returns, it will almost certainly be held behind closed doors initially and instead of fighting in front of an empty stadium, Eddie Hearn has floated the idea of staging events in his back garden.

The promoter’s mansion in Essex is the headquarters for Matchroom and Hearn has ambitions of hosting four fight nights over consecutive weekends in July, with Whyte and Povetkin headlining the final event.

Anthony Joshua

Joshua is the obvious fight to give Whyte a title shot, providing the latter can overcome Povetkin.

The 30-year-old is the current WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight champion after beating Andy Ruiz Jr. in a rematch last year.

Joshua has often been linked with clashes against Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder and reports have suggested a fight with Fury could be on the cards.

But Wilder will likely activate a rematch clause to fight Fury for a third time, leaving Joshua out in the cold.

Whyte has fought him twice before, beating him in an amateur bout before suffering his first professional defeat to him in 2015.

Joshua’s next opponent is expected to be Kubrat Pulev but Hearn could be tempted to pit his two fighters against each other for a third time.

Fury or Wilder?

If Whyte isn’t able to strike a deal to fight Joshua, he may have ambitions of facing either Fury or Wilder.

The pair have met twice since December 2018 and Fury comfortably beat the American earlier this year after a controversial initial draw.

Fury is the current holder of the WBC and The Ring magazine heavyweight titles and he’s keen to take on Joshua to become the unified world champion.

But Wilder wants to go toe-to-toe with the Gypsy King for a third time in an effort to win his titles back.

It seems like only a matter of time before Joshua and Fury finally meet in the ring. However, AJ has been accused of ducking the fight in the past and if it doesn’t materialise, Whyte would have no hesitations in stepping up to the plate.

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