Dillian Whyte-Johnny Fisher fight agreed in principle, says manager

Dillian Whyte and Johnny Fisher have agreed in principle to an all-British heavyweight fight, according to Whyte’s manager, Michael Ofo, although a deal has not yet been finalised.

Ofo said he shook hands with Fisher’s manager, Adam Morallee, after Fisher’s majority-decision victory over Michael Pirotton at London’s Copper Box Arena. Whyte, who watched from ringside, is open to returning in November or December.

“The fight was agreed in principle following Fisher’s win on Saturday night with a handshake between me and Fisher’s manager Adam Morallee,” Ofo told Sky Sports. “I was unsure whether Fisher and his management would take the fight, in spite of Fisher having called Dillian out, so I called Adam over and asked him. He immediately responded: ‘Absolutely. Let’s do it next!’”

Fisher improved to 15-1 (12 KOs) in his Zuffa Boxing debut, rebounding from the first defeat of his career. The 26-year-old had spoken about facing Whyte before the Pirotton fight, saying there was a “good chance” the former world-title challenger would be next.

“Of course. Why not? That’s a great name. It would be an honour,” Fisher said. “He’s someone I looked up to when I was coming through the ranks. He’s given us some great nights. I’m sure he would be a great bit of excitement for the Romford Bull Army.”

Fisher had also been linked with former WBC champion Deontay Wilder, although he stopped short of directly calling him out. Whyte, 38, is the more immediate domestic option and has responded to Fisher’s challenge with a prediction that the contest would end early.

“I knock Johnny Fisher out,” said Whyte, 31-4 (21 KOs). “It’s heavyweight boxing, anything can happen. I could get caught high on the head like I did last time out, but I’ll knock Johnny Fisher out. I’ll be surprised if it goes past three or four rounds. I’m an ageing dog but I still have all of my teeth.”

Whyte nevertheless acknowledged the threat posed by Fisher’s size and power. “He’s a bit erratic and he’s open in lots of areas but he’s dangerous,” he said. “He’s swinging big punches, a big man, and he hits hard so yeah, I think it would be an exciting fight while it lasts.”

The proposed bout would be Whyte’s first since he was stopped in the opening round by Moses Itauma in Saudi Arabia 13 months ago. His other defeats have come against Anthony Joshua, Alexander Povetkin and Tyson Fury during a career in which he twice held the WBC interim heavyweight title.

Whyte has since said he entered the Itauma fight with a fractured foot sustained during training. He said he first felt pain while running before aggravating the injury in sparring, then fractured the foot again while warming up in the dressing room.

“I started warming up, jumped a little bit of rope, and then reinjured the foot. Completely fractured it again,” Whyte said. “We had to call the doctor who was with me to examine it. He advised me not to fight and I said ‘no’. There’s no way I’m going to come all the way to Saudi and not fight last minute.”

Whyte did not reveal the injury immediately after the defeat, saying he did not want to detract from Itauma’s performance.

“I didn’t want to mention it, go into it, and take away from his win, because he done alright. I got clocked and he won the fight,” he said. “I didn’t want to go on too much about it and I think people got carried away with the fact that I got beat in a round by Moses.”

Whyte said the doubts created by that loss were part of the appeal of facing Fisher, who has positioned the veteran as a possible next opponent.

“The reason this fight attracts me is because it’s dangerous,” Whyte said. “My last fight lasted a round so people could be thinking I’m washed up and finished now so let them run with that. I don’t mind being a stepping stone because you need a stepping stone to step somewhere else. Let’s go. They want to fight me. I was at home relaxing, they offered me out, so let’s get it on.”

Ofo described the prospective fight as a major London event, but the handshake agreement must still be converted into a completed deal. “It would be a huge all-British clash and a massive event for London,” he said. “So, let’s stop talking and get it on!”