Dillian Whyte says Deontay Wilder will dodge fight by becoming WBC ‘franchise’ champion

Briton may have to wait until February 2021 to receive his maiden world title shot

Dillian Whyte expects WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder to avoid fighting him, despite being reinstated as the governing body’s interim champion.

Whyte is set to become the mandatory challenger for Wilder’s belt after he was cleared of allegations over an “adverse finding” by the UK Anti-Doping Agency.

However, the Briton, whose only defeat came against Anthony Joshua in 2015, believes Wilder will be made a ‘franchise’ champion – an elevated status created by the WBC - thereby alleviating him of his mandatory duty to face Whyte.

“Now I’m back (Wilder) will definitely move up to ‘franchise’ world champion,” Whyte said. “I want to fight Deontay Wilder. I’ve wanted to fight him for a long time, I still want to fight him, but he doesn’t want to fight me. It’s clear he doesn’t want to fight me. I just want to become world champion.

“Wilder will move to ‘franchise’ champion so I might become world champion soon anyway.”

Whyte’s title shot has been delayed by Wilder committing to a rematch against Tyson Fury in February next year, while a trilogy fight between the pair is mooted for the back end of next year.

It means that Whyte may have to wait until February 2021 to challenge for the title, despite being ranked No 1 with the organisation since October 2017 and winning fight successive fights since.

Dillian Whyte will have to wait until February 2021 to receive his mandatory shot (Getty) (Getty Images)

“Guys like Dominic Breazeale, two. Eric Molina, two. Joseph Parker. Why are these guys getting title shots before me?” Whyte said.

“Even Derek Chisora might get a second crack at a world title before me, a guy I’ve beaten twice. Why is this?”

“I’ve spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on the WBC. I’ve been loyal to them by fighting back-to-back top 10 contenders. I’ve fought more top contenders than their champion!”