Dillian Whyte proved his promoter Eddie Hearn wrong when he beat Oscar Rivas to become mandatory challenger to the World Boxing Council heavyweight belt held by Deontay Wilder.
“I’m always being written off and even my own promoter said I would get knocked out by Rivas,” said Whyte, who won a unanimous points victory by scores of 115-112, 115-112 and 116-111 at the O2 Arena, Docklands, despite being knocked down in the ninth round.
“So, as usual I went out there and proved him, and everyone else, wrong. I’ve beaten world champions, former world champions and the rising undefeated stars of the division. All that is happening is that I’m sharpening my tools ready for those big fights.”
Whyte was certainly smart in this fight against the physicality, speed and tenacity of the shorter man, inflicting the Colombian’s first defeat in his 27th contest. Overall Whyte becomes more accomplished with every fight and this one was one of the most physical the 31-year-old has been in.
“I love to get in a toe-to-toe fight, I’m a street fighter, but at this level, and at this stage in my career, I have to stick to the game plan,” the fighter from Brixton said.
The strategy hatched by trainer Mark Tibbs and Whyte certainly worked for Rivas, with plenty of movement, behind long straight punches, punctuated by attacking the body.
Hearn conceded: “Dillian gets better with every fight and he showed beyond any doubt how much he wants it at this level. We want to keep him busy as he prepares for the world title next year, but I don’t think anyone would disagree if he got an easy fight to stay busy while he waits for his opportunity to fight for the belt.”
Whyte is likely to fight late this year before going into a camp ahead of a showdown for the WBC crown most likely in May or June, Hearn added.
The heavyweights were out in force on the O2 Arena card, with Dereck Chisora rocketing himself back into the spotlight with a brutal second-round knockout of former world title challenger Artur Szpilka, of Poland. “I’m not the guy interested in the belts any more,” Chisora said. “I’m the moneyweight fighter of the division.”
Dave Allen announced what appeared to be his retirement as he was taken to hospital after collapsing in the wake of his defeat by David Price. Allen required oxygen in the ring and was ferried out of the arena in a wheelchair.
Allen, 27, who had been resurgent in his four contests in the past year, had to absorb huge punishment from the 6ft 9in Price. Trainer Darren Barker pulled his exhausted fighter out of the contest on his stool at the end of the 10th round. Allen, who was cleared medically afterwards, explained on a social message later from hospital that his health had been deteriorating in the past 18 months.
“Don’t want anyone to worry about me, just a hard man gone old and soft the last 18 months, very happy and proud of David Price. I will be OK but the last 12 months or so, my health has been deteriorating and I’m glad I hung on, took the chance and made money and now probably done.”
Elsewhere, Andy Ruiz Jnr revealed that talks have stalled for the world heavyweight title rematch with Anthony Joshua – over the location of the contest.