By Shaun Murphy-
The big fight between Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte on April 23 is not the Tyson Fury show, and Whyte must not be seen as the secondary player in the major title defense in Wembley at the end of the month.
That was the message the tough South Londoner wanted passed across to the British media as he explained the previously mysterious silence and absence from a press conference set up to promote the fight. Whyte, a reputed warrior in the fight game was at pains to highlight the value he brings to the ring, reminding all that he is an action man in the ring.
“This is a business,” Whyte told reporters. “It’s not the Tyson Fury show. Everybody saying Tyson Fury this, Tyson Fury that. This fight sold out because of me and Tyson Fury, Tyson Fury fought Wilder, he’s a big superstar. It’s not just the Tyson Fury show, it’s the Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte show so some things need to be done correctly.
“I don’t dance to nobody’s tune, I’m a warrior, we can dance together but it can’t be one-way traffic.(
“I’m a disciplined guy and I’ve learned to be disciplined over the years. Okay, you want me to do things? That’s cool, I’m up for that, I’m a professional, I’ve had six or seven pay-per-view shows and worked hard on all of them and looked after my opponents and dealt with them correctly.
“When these guys are trying to mug me off and treat me like it’s the Tyson Fury show, they’ve got to get certain things correct. I’m a professional at the end of the day, so here I am. I’m here and ready.”
“You make an agreement to get the ball rolling, but there are still underlying issues that need securing and sorting out, and then when people are trying to play games and messing around then you’ve got to control what you can control,” he added.”
“What I could control is my actions, not what Fury does. So that’s what I did.”
Now that it has arrived, Whyte says it would mean “everything” to him to become champion of the world.
“I’m a guy that as a kid, no future, no education, no family, I’m a survivor,” he said.
“I’ve been on the streets since I was a child. For somebody like me that’s come from nothing, I’ve come from no sporting background, no backing, no support, I didn’t even do sports at school. For somebody like me to come from where I’ve come from, and to be heavyweight champion of the world is true inspiration.
“That’s somebody that’s come from a boxing family. I was a thug on the street that could knock people out. I’m under no illusion, I know what I am, I know what I bring.”
Fury who has established himself as the world’s best heavyweight, despite holding just one important belt among another three to be aspired for in the future, will be favourite to retain his crown in what will be a tough fight. Ever since he climbed up the canvas in December 2018 at the Staple Centre In Los Angelis, California, to earn a controversial draw, his reputation among boxing fans has grown tremendously.
Fury: Oh yes, it is my show and Dillian Whyte is getting knocked out Image: skysports.com
Fury subsequently delivered a one sided seventh round knock out in their rematch in February 2020, later retaining his WBC belt with an 11th-round knockout win in his memorable and thrilling trilogy against Deontay Wilder in October.
The gypsy king has previously hinted at retirement after his title defense against Whyte, but refrained from entertaining the topic on Thursday.
“To be honest with you I am only thinking about Dillian Whyte, I am not thinking about retirement,” he said. “That will come after the fight, we will think about what will happen and what the future will hold for me.
“At the minute I have a massive task in Dillian. A lot of people are underestimating Dillian Whyte but not me. I am giving him the respect he deserves throughout the training camp.
“I am not underestimating this guy, I give him the respect like I did for Deontay Wilder and everyone else.”
With a massive audience of 94,000 in attendance at Wembley, the fight promises to be one of the most electrifying heavy weight dust ups on British soil.
“What I’ve heard is that after this fight they’re going to make me patron saint of England, it’s going to be Saint Tyson instead of Saint George!” he joked.
Blessing
Making reference to his mental health journey in recent years and underlined, the unbeaten heavyweight said he intents to enjoy every moment in the ring.
“I’m obsessed with time and moments in time,” he said. “I’ve got to take every second as a blessing. I’ve been blessed to be at this stage in my career and life.
“Once it’s passed you can never turn the clock back, so I enjoy it. I like to enjoy every second in that ring. I wished they would do a fight for a full day long. I’m really happy when I’m in the boxing ring getting thumped in the face!”
Last week Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren told SkySports that Britain hasn’t seen anything like Tyson Fury before and that he will be determined to put on a show and give every paying fight a night they will not forget.