Dillian Whyte has called out Deontay Wilder for avoiding him and says he doubts the American will ever face him in a title fight.
Whyte has been reinstated as mandatory challenger by the WBC following an investigation into a failed drugs test.
Having been cleared of any wrongdoing, Whyte is now set to challenge for the WBC heavyweight title in February 2021.
But the 31-year-old believes the ‘Bronze Bomber’ will avoid the title defence by looking to become ‘franchise’ champion.
‘He Doesn’t Want To Fight Me’
The ‘franchise’ status would remove mandatory obligations, meaning Wilder wouldn’t have to face the ‘Body Snatcher’ in a title defence.
And the Jamaica-born heavyweight believes that will be the next move for the current WBC title-holder as he looks to evade the fight.
Whyte said (via Sky Sports): “Now I’m back he will definitely move up to ‘franchise’ world champion,”
“I want to fight Deontay Wilder. I’ve wanted to fight him for a long time, I still want to fight him, but he doesn’t want to fight me.”
“It’s clear he doesn’t want to fight me.”
“I just want to become world champion.”
“Wilder will move to ‘franchise’ champion so I might become world champion soon anyway.”
Undefeated Wilder will clash with Tyson Fury in February in a rematch, after their first meeting ended in a split-decision draw.
This means further delays for Whyte who will await the outcome of the fight to distinguish who his target will be.
Out of Favour
Whyte first topped the WBC rankings in 2017 and has won every fight since, with the only defeat of his career coming at the hands of Anthony Joshua in 2015.
But the challenger has grown frustrated as other fighters seem to be favoured for a shot at the title.
He said: “Guys like Dominic Breazeale, two. Eric Molina, two. Joseph Parker. Why are these guys getting title shots before me? Even Derek Chisora might get a second crack at a world title before me, a guy I’ve beaten twice. Why is this?”
“I’ve spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on the WBC,”
“I’ve been loyal to them by fighting back-to-back top 10 contenders. I’ve fought more top contenders than their champion!”
“I’m ready and waiting for a date for next year so I can start training,”
“It’s important to get a date locked in, get my career flowing and moving and get me to a world title.”
“I’ve had enough messing around. I’m asking for a fair crack of the whip – I deserve it, I earned it, I’ve fought everyone put in front of me and I continue to do so.”
“Set a date, pick whoever you want to pick, and I’ll show up to fight. What more can you ask for?”
Who’s Next?
It will become clear who Whyte has his eyes on for the title once Wilder and Fury have touched gloves in February.
In the mean-time there a few fighters in the hat for his next fight, with Andy Ruiz Jr and Alexander Povetkin amongst those mentioned and Whyte feeling confident he can beat anyone.
(Featured image source: Instagram/ Dillian Whyte and Deontay Wilder)