Whyte vs. Hammer: Dillian Returns Next Sunday in Tune-up Clash in Ireland

Image: Whyte vs. Hammer: Dillian Returns Next Sunday in Tune-up Clash in Ireland
London, UK - July 10: Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte Launch Press Conference to announce their British Heavyweight Contest next Month at the O2 Arena London. 10 July 2023 Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing Dillian Whyte
By Charles Brun - 03/10/2024 - Comments

Heavyweight Dillian Whyte will return from a 15-month layoff to face veteran Christian Hammer next Sunday, March 17th, in Castlebar, Ireland.

It’s an important fight for Dillian because if he loses to the 36-year-old Hammer (27-10, 12 KOs), his chances of getting a big money fight will be out the window.

Hammer can punch a little, but he’s lost three out of his last four fights and hasn’t fought since being knocked out in four rounds by Joe Joyce in 2022.

Hammer has been well-vetted by Whyte’s team and deemed a non-threat to beating him, but you never know. Whyte is so past it at 35 that he could lose to this guy. Dillian certainly deserved a loss in his last fight against Jermaine Franklin. This writer had Franklin winning 10-2 against Whyte.

It’s believed the 35-year-old Whyte (29-3, 19 KOs) is coming back with hopes of getting a big payday against Francis Ngannou, Deontay Wilder, or even Anthony Joshua on one of the Saudi cards.

Whyte’s last seven fights:

Jermaine Franklin: *Controversial MD 12 win
Tyson Fury: TKO 6 loss
Alexander Povetkin: KO 4 win
Alexander Povetkin: TKO 5 loss
Mariusz Wach: UD 10 win
Oscar Rivas: *Questionable 12 UD win
Dereck Chisora: KO 11 win

Whyte has a real chance of making some serious loot if he defeats the journeyman, Hammer. Yeah, it’ll be off-putting to some to see Whyte making millions in Saudi Arabia while younger, more talented heavyweight contenders are ignored for these events; that’s just how it is.

A Shadow of his Former Self?

Whyte has looked well past it in his last two fights against Jermaine Franklin and Tyson Fury. He was arguably beaten by Franklin in his last fight but was given a 12-round majority decision.

During Whyte’s prime, he had victories over Joseph Parker, Alexander Povetkin, and Oscar Rivas. Unfortunately, Whyte is not the same fighter he once was, and his comeback could end next Sunday against the always-tough Hammer.

With UK fans never giving up on their fighters, Whyte could keep plugging along, making money like 40-year-old journeyman Dereck Chisora is doing. The Brits are still eager to watch Chisora (34-13, 23 KOs) despite losing four out of his last six fights.

The Saudi Arabia Connection

If Whyte looks good against Hammer, the Saudis may use him for one of their cards, matching him with another old, down-and-out fighter that fans are familiar with. There’s kind of a professional wrestling aspect to those cards. It’s utterly predictable that Whyte will wind up on one of the Saudi cards, fighting someone that hardcore boxing fans are familiar with.