Despite insisting that he’d find an opponent to fight over the summer, eager to remain active, WBC interim heavyweight champion Dillian Whyte’s in-ring return could be as late as early September if his promoter Eddie Hearn is to be believed.
Arreola bout in the US a possibility for Whyte
Whyte didn’t mince words when criticising Andy Ruiz Jr’s choice of opponent for the Mexican-American’s return, but could end up facing Chris Arreola himself as he attempts to break into the US markets later this year.
Originally, he wanted a July return after his fourth-round TKO win over Alexander Povetkin on March 27.
Instead though, he’s decided to take a longer break between training camps after the complications that delayed his long-awaited rematch – and consequently extended camp – with the Russian.
As reported by BoxingScene, Hearn detailed some of his conversation with Whyte – admitting Arreola was potentially the Brit’s next opponent.
“We were looking at July, now looking at the end of August or early September, probably in America. When a fighter he wins, they often say ‘I’m going to have a couple of weeks off then go back to the gym’. But then they often realize they need a little bit longer.
We were talking about the Arreola fight. He had a good fight with Ruiz, would be a good opponent.”
Arreola (38-7-1, 2 NC) was praised for coming in what many critics described as the best fighting shape of his career against Ruiz.
Despite scoring a second-round knockdown, Arreola ultimately lost convincingly on all three judges’ scorecards and voiced his displeasure post-fight after an entertaining battle many weren’t expecting.
Arreola, a three-time WBC title challenger, presents enough risk and reward should Whyte do what Ruiz couldn’t: earn a stoppage win.
He’s only fought in the US once – a third-round TKO win over Malcolm Tann four years ago – and wants to continue building his profile Stateside considering former champions Ruiz and Deontay Wilder are two viable targets he’s been calling to fight for years now.
During Sky Sports’ Toe-to-Toe podcast, he said:
“Arreola might be somebody to look at, because he just acquitted himself well against Adam Kownacki and Ruiz.
It would be good if I could blow him away in four or five rounds as well, a well-known tough guy with a great chin.”
Tyson Fury and Wilder are provisionally expected to complete their trilogy on July 24, while Anthony Joshua – Whyte’s old foe and the division’s other champion – is expected to defend his titles against Oleksandr Usyk next.
Staying busy, competing with dangerous yet credible opposition appears Whyte’s best opportunity to eventually begin negotiations for the real titles.
Picture source: Standard — quotes via BoxingScene
Mo and Sports 