Dillian Whyte vacates British heavyweight title

[Ruthless-RKO]

Dillian Whyte has vacated the British heavyweight title to continue his pursuit of a world title fight by the end of the year.

The Brixton man was ordered to defend his Lonsdale belt against Sam Sexton by the British Boxing Board of Control, but reluctantly decided to vacate the title as he intends to move beyond the domestic scene.

Whyte climbed further up the WBC rankings after his exciting points win over Chisora in December and hopes to edge closer to a shot at the WBC belt, which is currently held by Deontay Wilder.

“The fight went out for bids and Eddie [Hearn] called me and explained the situation,” Whyte exclusively told Sky Sports. “In the rankings, I should be top seven in the WBC and the WBC silver title has become vacant."

“Sam Sexton, fighting him doesn’t make sense, ranking wise, or business sense. For me, fighting Chisora then Sam Sexton is a backward step. Chisora has knocked him out twice. He doesn’t really do anything for my career."

“Eddie has promised me some top-10 fights this year, which will push me to a world title, hopefully leading to a world title fight at the end of this year. It was a no-brainer, to be honest.”

A discussed rematch with Chisora remains a possibility, but Whyte’s main priority is pushing himself into world title contention.

The 28-year-old said: “I’ll fight Dereck Chisora any day of the week, but it has to make financial sense, because I beat him already, I got the ranking points. I’m ranked higher than him across the board in the world rankings now."

“I’ve got no problem fighting Dereck again, but I’ve got to think about my career and moving forward to challenge for a world title. My dream is to become world champion, not to stay at British level and keep fighting these guys, unless it makes financial sense or ranking sense. I’ll definitely knock Dereck Chisora out this time, 100 per cent."

Whyte stopped Ian Lewison in October to become British champion and was sad to give up the coveted title.

He said: “It’s a shame that I didn’t get to win the Lonsdale belt outright, I loved that belt, it was a beautiful belt."

"It was the highlight of my career so far, winning that belt. A beautiful moment to get my hands on the belt.”

[BitPlayer]

I'm fine with thi, Sexton would be a step back.

[Lackeos]

1 .- Alexander Povetkin (Russia)
2 .- Bermane Stiverne (Haiti/Canada)
3 .- Luis Ortiz (Cuba) * CBP/P
4 .- Kubrat Pulev (Bulgaria)
5 .- Johann Duhaupas (France) SILVER
6 .- Andy Ruiz (Mexico)
7 .- Artur Szpilka (Poland)
8 .- Carlos Takam (Cameroon)
9 .- Dillian Whyte (Jamaica/GB) INTL/BBB C
10 .- Gerald Washington (US)
11 .- Mariusz Wach (Poland)
12 .- Andrzej Wawrzyk (Poland) * CBP/P
13 .- Jarrell Miller (US) * CBP/P
14 .- David Price (GB) * CBP/P
15 .- Andriy Rudenko (Ukraine) INTL Silver * CBP/P

Szpilka would probably be low-hanging fruit. But it would certainly be interesting to see Whyte fight someone of approximately his own ability, like Takam or Stiverne, while attacking the rankings at the same time. Btw, I'm glad to hear that Whyte is totally focused on raising his goals rather than taking easier fights.

[Ruthless-RKO]

He's done the right thing by vacating. He knows where he is in the WBC rankings. He needs them European level fights now. Guys like Bermane Stiverne, Artur Szpilka, Carlos Takam..

He mentioned Gerald Washington himself. Seems confident. A fight with David Price or Jarrell Miller would be good to

[Evander]

2 Things about White.

1. Grade A fight with Chisora

2. At a past press conference he called out Anthony Joshua for being fake ... what does he mean ?

[world ranked]

He's done the right thing by vacating. He knows where he is in the WBC rankings. He needs them European level fights now. Guys like Bermane Stiverne, Artur Szpilka, Carlos Takam..

He mentioned Gerald Washington himself. Seems confident. A fight with David Price or Jarrell Miller would be good to

David Price would be a step back. He has a chance for world honors. Price doesn't do anything for that goal.

[Oiky]

Fair play to him, bigger picture in mind

[LasPalmas]

2 Things about White.

1. Grade A fight with Chisora

2. At a past press conference he called out Anthony Joshua for being fake ... what does he mean ?

Whyte had been in previous camps with Joshua, namely a klitschko one, and says the persona AJ portrays in conferences/interviews etc is not what he is really like. I understand, as it all does sound quite scripted, but I think also there is some real bitterness from whyte towards him, like Joshua has had it all layed out in front of him which is true to an extent.

[Evander]

Alright then

[Lackeos]

2 Things about White.

1. Grade A fight with Chisora

2. At a past press conference he called out Anthony Joshua for being fake ... what does he mean ?

Anthony Joshua is actually an Irish mma fighter named Tony Johnson, and he's been pulling the wool over our eyes this whole time.

I think what Whyte is trying to communicate is that he thinks Joshua is a sadistic lunatic with a nice guy image.

[BitPlayer]

He's done the right thing by vacating. He knows where he is in the WBC rankings. He needs them European level fights now. Guys like Bermane Stiverne, Artur Szpilka, Carlos Takam..

He mentioned Gerald Washington himself. Seems confident. A fight with David Price or Jarrell Miller would be good to

David Price would be a step back. He has a chance for world honors. Price doesn't do anything for that goal.

Price is fighting Hammer, so the winner of that, I suspect Hammer, would be decent enough.

[Autobarn]

If there's some WBC carrot for him to fight Chisora again, terrific as that's a fight we all want to see again. Action, grudge match, "controversy".

Funny Sexton came up. Didn't know he was still on the scene. His defeats to Chisora were exciting battles.

[world ranked]

He's done the right thing by vacating. He knows where he is in the WBC rankings. He needs them European level fights now. Guys like Bermane Stiverne, Artur Szpilka, Carlos Takam..

He mentioned Gerald Washington himself. Seems confident. A fight with David Price or Jarrell Miller would be good to

David Price would be a step back. He has a chance for world honors. Price doesn't do anything for that goal.

Price is fighting Hammer, so the winner of that, I suspect Hammer, would be decent enough.

Of course if Price win.