Fury Successfully Defends WBC Crown Against Whyte

It’s been a long time coming, but Dillian Whyte finally got his opportunity to fight for the WBC heavyweight world title. The Body Snatcher had always felt hard done by for not getting his shot to win the belt when Deontay Wilder was the holder. But, after the Gypsy King won the belt from the Bronze Bomber, Whyte was booked as a mandatory challenger.

Fury, 33, headed into the bout undefeated, with thirty-two victories from thirty-three bouts. Whyte, on the other hand, took on the challenge with a couple of defeats to his name, after being stopped by both Anthony Joshua and Alexander Povetkin. However, Whyte, who fights out of Brixton, felt he was the man to overcome Fury, after being forced to wait an excessive amount of time to get the opportunity to become world champion.

Fury was a heavy favourite going into the fight, with many feeling he would prove that he was levels above Whyte. And, as many expected, what ensued was a scrappy fight, where Whyte attempted to force the Gypsy King to fight his game, but it was Fury who dominated, having the upper hand from the first bell. He was at his elusive best, with many of Whyte’s overhand rights failing to hit the target, on what proved to be a frustrating evening for the Body Snatcher.

The sixth round was decisive for both men, with Fury using his intelligence to draw Whyte forward with a left jab before delivering a shuddering right uppercut to send him to the canvas. Whyte, who has been susceptible to uppercuts throughout his career, was in big trouble. He admirably got back to his feet inside the count, but the fight was waved off by referee Mark Lyson, and rightly so, as Whyte was in no condition to continue.

Following his successful defence, the usual Fury antics got underway. The Gypsy King blasted out American Pie in typical fashion, with his entourage, including wife Paris Fury, joining him in the ring. But, it was Fury’s suggestion to the 94,000 people in attendance at Wembley Stadium that it was time to finally hang up the gloves that caught the attention.

Fury has hinted at retirement previously but insisted he couldn’t turn down the opportunity to fight in front of a record crowd at Wembley after not boxing in the UK since 2018. At this juncture, he suggests he’s reached the pinnacle. But, with Anthony Joshua set for a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk in the summer, Fury taking on the winner would be one of the biggest fights of all time.

It remains to be seen whether Fury will aim to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world following the AJ Usyk bout, or if this really is the end of the Gypsy King as an active fighter. And could it also prove to be the final action of thirty-four-year-old Dillian Whyte’s time at the top end of the sport?