JUST three weeks after being added to Saturday night’s Fabio Wardley-Justis Huni event in Ipswich, it has been revealed that Dillian Whyte, 31-3 (21 KOs), has pulled out of the card in favour of what promoter Frank Warren said is a “massive fight” which is set to take place in August.
Boxing News discusses which heavyweight may have caused Whyte’s head to turn.
Lawrence Okolie 21-1 (16 KOs)
Former WBO cruiserweight world champion and long-term rival of Whyte, Lawrence Okolie, is the name that is currently being linked to ‘The Body Snatcher’. Okolie is keen to secure a statement win in the heavyweight division after moving up in December.
As a world title challenger, Whyte represents a solid name for Okolie’s résumé, but his inactivity and recent form means Okolie would enter the bout as the favourite, supplying the WBC #1 contender with a possible low-risk option that simultaneously builds his name.
Derek Chisora 36-13 (23 KOs)
Despite the fact that Whyte defeated Derek Chisora on the two occasions they have fought, the British heavyweight rivals have continuously teased a third clash. The recent winning streak of ‘Del Boy’ may have given him confidence that he can finally getting the nod over his old foe.
Consistently linked to fights in Saudi Arabia, Chisora is looking for a way to end his career in style and a long-awaited triumph over Whyte in his 50th and final outing could be the fairytale ending that he is angling for.
Joseph Parker 36-3 (24 KOs)
Like Okolie, Joseph Parker is extremely well poised for a shot at heavyweight gold and will not want to put his position as WBO interim champion at too much risk – but still he is keen for inactivity and could fight this summer.
However, the fact that Parker has not been added to the Usyk-Dubois II undercard, where he will supposedly fight the winner of the main-event for the heavyweight crown, means that the New Zealander may land on a rumoured Riyadh Season card the following month.
With Whyte being one of just three men to hold a win over Parker but currently 37 years old and out-of-sorts, Parker may see this as an ideal opportunity to level the scores, while Whyte could tee up a world title shot if he were to pull off the upset.
Martin Bakole 21-2-1 (16 KOs)
Whyte and Bakole had a volatile spat when the Congolese heavyweight fought in Poland two years ago but since then the hard-hitting African has risen into world title contention by fighting solely on Riyadh Season shows.
Although, two underwhelming displays against Joseph Parker and Efe Ajagba have left fans doubting whether the 33-year-old has the skills, and more importantly discipline, to claim a world title any time soon.
Therefore, a meeting with a rival such as Whyte could be the chance for Bakole to regain momentum and add another well-known name to his record, ahead of what is sure to be a pivotal 2026.
Jarrell Miller 26-1-2 (22 KOs)
A shoulder injury saw Miller pull out of Saturday’s main-event against Fabio Wardley but it is unclear how long he will be sidelined for.
Miller, Jared Anderson and Dillian Whyte are being linked as potential opponents for Anthony Joshua as part of his rumoured multi-fight deal with Riyadh Season, that could begin at the end of this year.
Whilst Anderson seems to be the current frontrunner for Joshua’s next fight, Miller and Whyte could face one another in Riyadh, with the victor earning a lucrative meeting against ‘AJ’ in early 2026.
