Dillian Whyte Picked Itauma Even Though Parker and Joshua Were Options

British heavyweight Dillian Whyte says three names were on the table for his next fight—Joseph Parker, Anthony Joshua and Moses Itauma—and here’s why he chose the last of them.

“You know what, they gave me three names: Joshua, Parker and Moses Itauma.

Those guys were just playing. Parker got greedy— they wouldn’t be realistic about the split. AJ wasn’t ready. Obviously they’re keeping backup plans and I was never anyone’s first choice.

I think nobody wants to fight Moses Itauma. My whole career I’ve taken fights nobody else wanted, and nothing’s changed. It’s an opportunity— a great one. If I win, I’m back like I never left.

Everyone’s scared of him. All these other heavyweights who pride themselves on fighting anybody— they’re afraid of this guy. We’re in this business to fight, to entertain, to give the fans a good scrap.

I’d like to fight AJ again because he’s the only one on that list who’s beaten me before.

I beat him once in the amateurs, he beat me once— I want the rubber match. But with his injuries, surgery and all that, they didn’t know if he’d be ready. He wasn’t, so I said: ‘Fine, I’m not waiting.’

As for Parker— that’s Parker’s greed. When I fought him years ago, he was on a bit of a losing streak. I accepted a certain split back then; I was fair. He’s greedy now. I said, ‘Do you want to fight someone who’s already beaten you, or are you just here for the money?’ Clearly he’s just here for the money. So I said, ‘OK, no worries.’Then with Moses I said, ‘Yeah, I’m definitely in,’” said Whyte.

The bout is set for 16 August in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Photo: BBC