WBC Silver Heavyweight Champion Dillian Whyte (23-1, 17 KOs) was under the distinct impression that he was heading towards a mandatory world title shot against Deontay Wilder (40-0, 39 KOs) following last months impressive knockout of the undefeated Lucas Browne..
However Whyte found himself shuffled along in the queue several days ago as the WBC revealed that their mandatory status had been awarded to former IBF challenger Dominick Breazeale..
Despite maintaining his number one ranking, and even winning the WBC silver title, Whyte has now been ordered to fight Cuban heavyweight Luis Ortiz, who himself has just come off an unsuccessful WBC title shot..
Breazeale’s victory over Eric Molina was initially announced as a title eliminator yet was more recently switched to final eliminator status by the governing body. The peculiar thing about that is, had Molina beaten Breazeale, he would have been awarded a third successive shot at the world heavyweight championship, whilst Whyte is still standing in line for his first..
Whyte boxes in July with no immediate opponent named as of yet, but made a very valid claim when he asked why the WBC didn’t just order him to box Breazeale in the eliminator, killing two birds with one stone..
If negotiations between Wilder and Joshua aren’t met soon, it looks like Breazeale will fight Wilder next, leaving Whyte in limbo as far as his immediate future is concerned..
"I've fought for every single belt the WBC said I was eligible for. I'm one of the only guys in the WBC who has followed the proper procedure. I fought many eliminators, and many WBC ranking fights. I've been loyal to the WBC for about two years," Said Whyte..
"I've had the sanctioning fights, I've done everything they have asked me to do. My information was - I was meant to be next in line. If anything, the WBC should be ordering me and Breazeale to fight in a final eliminator to face Wilder.
"I've had loads of WBC fights and they've always been against top contenders. Chisora, Helenius, Browne. These haven't been against mugs, they have been against top contenders, who are highly ranked in the WBC as well. We're going to try and see what we can do, and see whether or not we can reach some sort of agreement with the WBC. I'm very, very disappointed and annoyed. I feel betrayed by the WBC to be honest."
Whyte is justified in feeling betrayed.. Breazeale hasn’t maintained a winning streak at a level equalling Whyte’s and Molina didn’t belong in a position to justify a third title shot.. Whyte has an option to box in the IBFs mandatory elimination bout against Kubrat Pulev in an attempt to circumvent the process and shoot for the holder in that body (Joshua) or sit and wait it out until Wilder or whoever decides he’s worthy of the shot..
Dillian most probably won’t depose Wilder or Joshua in an attempt for the title, but he’s deserving, hungry and very determined, spelling a tough night for anyone.. I’ve noticed a huge improvement in Whyte’s game, he’s more patient, much more crafty and operates like a true professional today, leaving nothing to chance.. I hope a decent opportunity presents itself very soon for the Brixton man, he’s definitely earned it..
"I've had the sanctioning fights, I've done everything they have asked me to do. My information was - I was meant to be next in line. If anything, the WBC should be ordering me and Breazeale to fight in a final eliminator to face Wilder.
"I've had loads of WBC fights and they've always been against top contenders. Chisora, Helenius, Browne. These haven't been against mugs, they have been against top contenders, who are highly ranked in the WBC as well. We're going to try and see what we can do, and see whether or not we can reach some sort of agreement with the WBC. I'm very, very disappointed and annoyed. I feel betrayed by the WBC to be honest."
Whyte is justified in feeling betrayed.. Breazeale hasn’t maintained a winning streak at a level equalling Whyte’s and Molina didn’t belong in a position to justify a third title shot.. Whyte has an option to box in the IBFs mandatory elimination bout against Kubrat Pulev in an attempt to circumvent the process and shoot for the holder in that body (Joshua) or sit and wait it out until Wilder or whoever decides he’s worthy of the shot..
Dillian most probably won’t depose Wilder or Joshua in an attempt for the title, but he’s deserving, hungry and very determined, spelling a tough night for anyone.. I’ve noticed a huge improvement in Whyte’s game, he’s more patient, much more crafty and operates like a true professional today, leaving nothing to chance.. I hope a decent opportunity presents itself very soon for the Brixton man, he’s definitely earned it..
