Tyson Fury Says He Would Fight Dillian Whyte For WBC Diamond Belt, Not Interim Title
Tyson Fury has announced that he would be willing to face Dillian Whyte, but under one condition.
In response to recent comments made by WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman regarding making a fight between Whyte and Fury for the interim WBC heavyweight title, the former unified champion had an offer of his own. In a video posted on social media, Fury stated that he would accept a fight against Whyte, the current WBC Silver champion, but only if the WBC would sanction it, not for an interim title, but for the Diamond title.
“I just want to say a special message to the WBC, who supported me in my comeback and have been very fair to me over the years. I recently saw your quote about fighting for the interim title against Dillian Whyte and I’m very thankful for the opportunity. But what I suggest is, because I beat Deontay Wilder and we all know what happened. I didn’t get the decision, but I still won and the world knows. What I propose is me and Dillian Whyte for the WBC Diamond belt and not the interim belt. And I’ll take care of Dillian Whyte and knock him out within six rounds. I accept the challenge. Thank you very much. I’ll fight DIllian Whyte every day of the week and twice on a Sunday, WBC. Make it for the Diamond belt, not the interim version, and you got a deal. Let’s get it on!”
Whyte saw the video and responded with the following tweet, saying he wants to Fury as well.
Let’s do it then @gypsyking101 @wbcboxing @wbcmoro I’d fight you anytime anywhere 7 days a week and 5 times on Sunday I look forward to putting you to sleep #LetsGobaby pic.twitter.com/DWl0Ir04ap
— Dillian Whyte (@DillianWhyte) May 14, 2019
The Diamond belt is a special title the WBC has created in years past and would only sanction certain fights for the title. Only five active boxers currently hold the Diamond title: Mairis Briedis, WBA super middleweight champion Callum Smith, WBA junior welterweight champion Regis Prograis, WBA featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz and WBA bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire.
Sulaiman’s comments regarding the Whyte-Fury fight stem from the current situation Whyte has with the governing body. After a rematch between WBC world champion Deontay Wilder and Fury fell through, Wilder was ordered to face mandatory challenger Dominic Breazeale.
Breazeale was originally ordered to fight Whyte in a final eliminator and for the interim title but that order came before Wilder and Fury weren’t able to close a deal. With Fury choosing to sign with Top Rank Boxing and Wilder facing off against Breazeale on May 18, Whyte’s future in the WBC heavyweight title picture remained unclear.
In the meantime, Whyte took a fight against Oscar Rivas for July 20 at The O2 in England. Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn is looking to make Whyte vs. Rivas a final eliminator and an interim title fight.
