By Barry Holbrook: Eddie Hearn reveals that he’s hearing that there are “Loads” of problems with the Tyson Fury vs. Dillian Whyte fight on April 23rd, and he says he’s happy that the’s NOT involved in the promotion of that event.
Hearn says he doesn’t want to elaborate on all the issues the Fury-Whyte fight promotion is having because he doesn’t want to come across as “salty,” but nevertheless he says there are issues
Fury (31-0-1, 22 KOs) will be defending his WBA heavyweight title against mandatory challenger Whyte (28-2, 19 KOs) next month on April 23 at a sold-out Wembley Stadium in London, England. The fight will be on PPV.
If there are issues with the Fury vs. Whyte fight, as Hearn suggests, it’s not hurt ticket sales for the clash because they’ve been nothing short of phenomenal. You could only dream of a fight selling out the 100,000 seat Wembley Stadium.
Obviously, the promotion could have been helped coming out of the gate if Whyte had taken part in the kickoff press conference to help with the promotion of the Fury fight.
Instead, Whyte opted not to take part, leaving Fury alone at the press conference, needing to do all the work without his help in creating interest in the April 23rd event.
“Loads, loads,” said Eddie Hearn to Boxing Social about the Tyson Fury vs. Dillian Whyte promotion having lots of problems for their April 23rd fight at Wembley Stadium. “I don’t want to go into it, you only have to read the press.
“As you said in that quote, I don’t think it’ll affect the fight. I’m sure the fight will take place, but all I see and all I hear are problems,” said Hearn about the Fury – Whyte promotion.
“When I say I’m so glad I’m not involved in the fight, I wish I was promoting the fight because it’s a great fight.
“When I see all the things going on, I’m glad I’m not in that situation. But listen, it’s a great fight, I’m sure it’ll happen. Again, stories are breaking today and stuff like that.
“I’m not going to comment on them because people think all of a sudden that I’m being salty. So again, let’s just see them both in the ring. It’s a good fight.
“There’s always a risk, but it’s a big fight, everyone wants the fight. I’m sure it’ll be fine,” said Hearn in sounding optimistic Fury vs. Whyte clash.
As you can see from Hearn’s comments, he seems less than positive about the Fury-Whyte event on April 23. One can conclude that Hearn has questions about whether this fight will work with the way things have started off.
A lot is being asked of Fury to have to shoulder the burden alone without Whyte’s help to singlehandedly promote the event. This isn’t the same situation Fury went through in his rematch with Deontay Wilder last October, as Whyte isn’t the same kind of star as the ‘Bronze Bomber.’
There’s more stress on Fury because he’s got a guy that casual boxing fans in the U.S aren’t familiar with in 34-year-old Dillian Whyte. Obviously, Whyte’s recent knockout loss to 41-year-old Alexander Povetkin doesn’t help matters.
“It’s a good fight and one that we’re confident because Dillian wears his heart on his sleeve, and he’s a man that is a real monster,” said Dean Whyte to TalkSport Boxing.
“He’ll take a shot and give a shot, do you know what I mean? You’ve got to be tough and smart to beat the likes of Fury. I feel that the three fights with Deontay Wilder have taken a few miles off the clock. That’s what I think. That’s what we’re going to see.
“He’s a hell of a talent, a hell of a boxer,” Whyte continued about Fury. “If he chooses to box and move, it’s going to be a very hard night, but I was in Las Vegas with [trainer] Sugarhill Steward and he said, ‘That old Fury isn’t here anymore. My style is coming forward looking for the knockout.’
“So, I think that suits Dillian down to the absolute tee if he [Fury] comes and wants to have a trade-up. I doubt he’ll do that, but I think it’ll be a good match-up of styles.
“We’re quietly confident. Dillian is training, and he doesn’t have the obligation of doing all this media stuff as they wanted it. So he’s just cracking on,” said Dean Whyte.
