16 June 2020

Dillian Whyte taking legal action against WBC over mandatory position

British heavyweight Dillian Whyte is taking legal action against the WBC as he bids to secure his shot at the world title.

The 32 year-old secured the mandatory position for the WBC belt in July last year after defeating Oscar Rivas, but was made to wait for a chance to fight for it due to Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury’s clash in February.

Whyte has beaten two former world champions so far in his career (PA)

However, Fury knocked out Wilder earlier this year to set up a contractually agreed third bout between them.

And now according Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn - who also promotes Whyte - Fury has reached a ‘financial agreement’ to take on Joshua in 2021.

As a result, Whyte has declared legal proceedings as he seeks to secure a date for his world title shot that has alluded him for so long.

Speaking to Sky Sports, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman said: "There is a procedure with regards to the date of the mandatory in the heavyweight division.

"Upon direct advice of WBC legal counsel I am not in position to discuss any further."

Hearn confirmed a Joshua-Fury fight would take place in 2021, however he is still confident Whyte can get his shot before then.

"It will be 2021, but there is a big period of time where Dillian Whyte should be getting his shot at the world title and that's important to us," he said.

Whyte has racked up an impressive resume while waiting patiently for his shot against one of the champions.

He has defeated former world champions in Lucas Browne and Joseph Parker, while also beating fellow Brit Dereck Chisora on two occasions.

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