Dillian Whyte fight CANCELLED just days before bout as Frank Warren releases statement
DILLIAN WHYTE has pulled out of his Saturday night UK comeback to secure a summer showdown with Lawrence Okolie.
The Brixton Body Snatcher was scheduled for a Portman Road tune-up this weekend, against an unnamed opponent, on the undercard of his Ipswich protege Fabio Wardley’s clash with Justis Huni.
But he has withdrawn himself from the card to focus on a grudge settler with his new nemesis.
The 37-year-old was supposed to fight Joe Joyce in Manchester on April 5 but withdrew due to a finger injury.
Juggernaut Joyce lost against stand-in opponent Filip Hrgovic, killing any chance of that rivalry being reignited.
But Whyte has instead sparked up a war of words with Okolie, with sickening slurs being aimed at the 2016 Olympian.
Okolie labelled Whyte a coward for failing to face him. And Whyte fired back, labelling Okolie a “sub-human c***” and dared the former McDonald’s worker to repeat the insults to his face.
Promoter Frank Warren – who has now lost two Whyte fights on the spin – explained: “He’s not going to be on the card now.
“He’s had an opportunity for a big big fight in August and we’re looking to get that over the line.
“That’s going to take priority.”
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Whyte has not boxed in England since November 2022.
He was supposed to have a rematch with Anthony Joshua in August 2023 but that O2 sell-out was scrapped when Whyte failed a doping test.
Whyte has boxed in Gibraltar and Ireland since that big-money clash was binned, landing underwhelming wins.
Whyte was previously adamant that his pencilled in June 7 bout would pave the way for a title fight, while also admitting that inactivity had “killed” his career.
He told Ring Magazine: “Look, inactivity has basically killed my career in the last three years.
“I am looking at having a big fight at the end of July or early August and I just thought I need some activity before heading into that.
“I thought I need to get active as quickly as possible because I’m serious about having a last run at it again and possibly fighting for the world title.
“So I want to put myself in the position that when it comes I’m not just there to take part but I’m going there with a high chance of winning because I will have some momentum behind me.
“The only way to get that is by putting my pride to one side and saying, ‘You know what, I’ll take this opportunity.’ I’ve always done that in my career.
“I fought Dereck Chisora as co-main event on a massive card and then in my next fight I boxed Malcolm Tann in an eight rounder at about 5pm.
“So this is about staying busy to put myself in a better position to give the fans big fights.”
Okolie, 32, lost his WBO cruiserweight world title to Chris Billam-Smith in May 2023 and is now looking for a marquee scalp in the heavyweight division.