THE Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte world heavyweight championship fight has finally been set.
It will take place on April 23 at Wembley stadium in London, the champion Fury’s first fight back in the UK since completing his epic trilogy of contests with Deontay Wilder.
It’s been a journey to get to this point. Whyte is the mandatory challenger for the WBC belt that Fury holds. Top Rank and Frank Warren, Fury’s promoters, won the purse bid with a massive $40 million bid but Whyte left it until this week to sign the contract.
But now the fight officially is on.
And Tyson Fury is relishing the contest. “I’m going to absolutely bust Dillian Whyte like a cheap water balloon. And then when I finish with him, Joe Parker’s going to set about him,” Fury declared on social media.
He later added, before going into training camp proper, “I’ll never underestimate anybody in my life. I’m going to give this man all the respect he deserves coming as the number one ranked WBC heavyweight challenger in the world.”
BT Sport Box Office televise in the UK, ESPN will screen the fight as a pay-per-view in America.
Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, March 2. “Tyson Fury coming home to fight under the arch at Wembley Stadium is a fitting reward for the No.1 heavyweight in the world following his exploits across the Atlantic in his epic trilogy against Deontay Wilder,” said promoter Frank Warren. “The fact that this mandatory defence of his WBC title comes against another Brit only adds to the occasion. They are two of the biggest characters in British sport and both normally have plenty to say for themselves.
“It is going to be an incredible night and a huge occasion for sport in this country that will capture the imagination of fans right across the world.”
Top Rank’s Bob Arum added, “Tyson Fury conquered America, and it is only fitting that he defends the heavyweight championship in a packed Wembley Stadium. Dillian Whyte has called for this fight for years, and while he is a deserving challenger, no heavyweight can match ‘The Gypsy King.’ This is going to be a momentous night of boxing with tens of thousands of fans in attendance at Wembley Stadium.”