Frank Warren: Dillian Whyte Lost His Chance To Face Tyson Fury

Dillian Whyte has next to no chance of facing WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in December.

Whyte is coming off a knockout defeat to Alexander Povetkin in August with the rematch initially set for later this month on November 21.

However, Povetkin recently tested positive for COVID-19 leaving Whyte opponentless. His promoter Eddie Hearn later floated the idea of having him face Fury who is looking to compete on December 5 after a trilogy fight with Deontay Wilder fell through.

“We would accept that fight,” Hearn said. “We would have to talk about numbers but Dillian Whyte would love to fight Tyson Fury on December 5. We would love to do that.”

Unbeaten German Agit Kabayel, however, seems to be the choice of Fury and his team.

But even if they were still looking for opponents, Fury’s co-promoter Frank Warren believes Whyte lost his chance of facing “The Gypsy King” the moment he lost to Povetkin.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Dillian Whyte get absolutely poleaxed in his last fight?” Warren told talkSPORT. “At that time, he was the mandatory challenger to Tyson, he kept going on about it, he was going to sue everybody. Then stupidly, they put him in with Povetkin and he poleaxed him.

“That’s it, he’s lost his chance. We don’t need him. What is in it for us?”

For now, Kabayel remains the top choice and there is also backup plan in case he decides to decline.

The ultimate goal is getting through to 2021 for a highly-anticipated heavyweight title unification clash with Anthony Joshua.

“We’re looking at the European champion Agit Kabayel and that’s the fight we’re looking to make,” Warren said. “[They’re dragging their heels] because they want more money – everybody does! But we’re close to making the fight.

“Tyson has been training for this guy and that’s the fight he wants. Tyson is not interested in [a fight with Dillian Whyte]. He’s made that very clear, even before he faced Povetkin. All we’re interested in is getting to face Anthony Joshua after he gets through his next fight. That’s the only heavyweight Matchroom has we’re interested in.”

Do you think Fury should face Whyte instead of Kabayel?