BoxRec

DILLIAN WHYTE VS. JOE JOYCE EXPECTED TO HEADLINE APRIL 5TH CARD IN MANCHESTER

In November of 2024, allegedly’s Queensberry Promotions signed a multi-year deal with DAZN. If he wanted, the longtime promoter could have eased his way into the deal with a low-profile fight.

Instead, he’s putting two notable heavyweights across the ring from one another.

On April 5th, at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester England, former heavyweight contender Dillian Whyte will attempt to knock off Joe Joyce. The news was first reported by Darshan Desai of Uncrowned.

For the 36-year-old Whyte, he nearly reached the top of the heavyweight mountain, only to be shoved off. In December of 2015, a seventh-round stoppage loss at the hands of Anthony Joshua saw Whyte’s undefeated run come to an end. He didn’t mop around and look for excuses, however, as he racked up 11 consecutive wins. Along the way, he took out the likes of Joseph Parker, Lucas Browne, and Derek Chisora, not once but twice.

Whyte did find himself on the wrong end of a knockout loss to Alexander Povetkin but rebounded nicely by immediately stopping him in their rematch. Although he was back on track, Tyson Fury derailed him via sixth-round stoppage in 2022. The big puncher has been trying to revamp his career since losing out on a rematch with Joshua in August of 2023, after Whyte tested positive for a banned substance and the fight was called off.

Whyte’s reclamation project has been on the right path so far. Now, with three consecutive wins, he’ll take on a former contender looking to find his groove.

At one point, Joyce (16-3, 15 KOs) was one of the hottest names in the heavyweight division. His motor and seemingly impenetrable chin, nevertheless, has recently failed him.

Ostensibly one fight away from a world title shot, Joyce was brutally stopped against Zhilei Zhang in back-to-back fights in 2023. He did pick up a lower-level win against Kash Ali but ultimately came up short recently against Derek Chisora immediately after.

Ironically enough, Joyce is scheduled to return in the next few weeks against Patrick Korte on March 1st. That showdown, however, is viewed as a warm-up for his matchup with Whyte. If Joyce’s handlers are erroneous and their man doesn’t grab the victory, it’s unclear if a backup is in place for Whyte (31-3, 21 KOs).

Full details of the card haven’t been revealed to The Ring as yet but several heavyweight contenders are expected to be showcased.

At this stage who wins?

Whyte looked crap his last fight, but I think we will get up for this one.

Joyce hard as nails but seems to drop easy now.

They making this fight clearly because they both want that Riyadh money and a win here will probably get them on that card

Whyte does tend to look shit against those who should be no competition to him (Franklin, Wach, Helenius) but can step up against some of the better guys who are probably closer to Joyce's level (Povetkin, Parker, Chisora). So it's difficult to judge him on previous performances. Both could also be quite chinny at this stage too.

I do think Whyte probably has more left in the tank, though Joyce has more skill. It's a toss up. Loser leaves town and the winner gets a Saudi payday against an up-and-comer such as Itauma, Wardley* or Okolie.

When does the contract end with TNT ? Won't be getting much after tonight then unless I subscribe to DAZN as SKY is a waste of time now

Wonder if there will be any testing other than post-fight? Probably not. I certainly wouldn't want to risk building a show around Dillian where testers were showing up during training camps.

tony1234 wrote: ↑08 Feb 2025, 08:49 When does the contract end with TNT ? Won't be getting much after tonight then unless I subscribe to DAZN as SKY is a waste of time now

April is when they go with DAZN.

When did Whyte last look good? - Joyce is on the slide but Whyte is too and from futher back.

What happens if Joyce loses to Korte or gets cut etc ?

Twinkle Toes wrote: ↑08 Feb 2025, 10:40 When did Whyte last look good? - Joyce is on the slide but Whyte is too and from futher back.

Whyte would start underdog against all of the Brit top 10 at his stage of his career

Coco wrote: ↑08 Feb 2025, 12:27

Twinkle Toes wrote: ↑08 Feb 2025, 10:40 When did Whyte last look good? - Joyce is on the slide but Whyte is too and from futher back.

Whyte would start underdog against all of the Brit top 10 at his stage of his career

I think they are both really chinny now, which still doesn't make this a good fight

KiwiRider wrote: ↑08 Feb 2025, 13:56

Coco wrote: ↑08 Feb 2025, 12:27

Twinkle Toes wrote: ↑08 Feb 2025, 10:40 When did Whyte last look good? - Joyce is on the slide but Whyte is too and from futher back.

Whyte would start underdog against all of the Brit top 10 at his stage of his career

I think they are both really chinny now, which still doesn't make this a good fight

C'mon - it's great...!
Two old, chinny bangers, loser goes home - it's a sadists delight.

Some awful writing in the OP. What is 'the wrong end of a knockout loss'? Can you find yourself on the right end of a knockout loss?

Billy Tully wrote: ↑08 Feb 2025, 14:47 Some awful writing in the OP. What is 'the wrong end of a knockout loss'? Can you find yourself on the right end of a knockout loss?

Should just say wrong end of a knockout really..

skanksta wrote: ↑08 Feb 2025, 14:01

KiwiRider wrote: ↑08 Feb 2025, 13:56

Coco wrote: ↑08 Feb 2025, 12:27

Whyte would start underdog against all of the Brit top 10 at his stage of his career

I think they are both really chinny now, which still doesn't make this a good fight

C'mon - it's great...!
Two old, chinny bangers, loser goes home - it's a sadists delight.

Two chinny bangers that could last a minute, then you might have to switch off the TV and talk to your wife.

Twinkle Toes wrote: ↑08 Feb 2025, 10:40 When did Whyte last look good? - Joyce is on the slide but Whyte is too and from futher back.

Povetkin

At this point of their carreers, this is just for some heavyweight clobbering fun

I have zero clue who wins this. Joe I hope

joshj909 wrote: ↑08 Feb 2025, 15:32

Twinkle Toes wrote: ↑08 Feb 2025, 10:40 When did Whyte last look good? - Joyce is on the slide but Whyte is too and from futher back.

Povetkin

and I think Povetkin was recovering from Covid in the rematch too

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑09 Feb 2025, 13:03

joshj909 wrote: ↑08 Feb 2025, 15:32

Twinkle Toes wrote: ↑08 Feb 2025, 10:40 When did Whyte last look good? - Joyce is on the slide but Whyte is too and from futher back.

Povetkin

and I think Povetkin was recovering from Covid in the rematch too

You can tell from his ring walk.. he should not have been in there

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑09 Feb 2025, 13:06

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑09 Feb 2025, 13:03

joshj909 wrote: ↑08 Feb 2025, 15:32

Povetkin

and I think Povetkin was recovering from Covid in the rematch too

You can tell from his ring walk.. he should not have been in there

definitely, although in hindsight now sympathy will be in short supply with his PED ban, although Dillian's popped 3 times which just shows you how bonkers drugs in boxing is/was/likely always will be.

Povetkin was functioning on half a lung, at least thats what it looked like

Twinkle Toes wrote: ↑09 Feb 2025, 14:21 Povetkin was functioning on half a lung, at least thats what it looked like

Oh man, it was hard to watch. He was wobbling about before the first bell.

Twinkle Toes wrote: ↑09 Feb 2025, 14:21 Povetkin was functioning on half a lung, at least thats what it looked like

and clearly no peds

I expect Both to be shot to bits. I think Joyce will get it done. I just think Whyte although not that old is completly done.