Tyson Fury believes his WBC title clash with Dillian Whyte will be much closer than expected, suggesting the bookmakers' odds in his favour have made him "laugh a bit".

The two Britons are set for a blockbuster heavyweight showdown at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, with Whyte earning a shot at the undefeated Fury after knocking out Alexander Povetkin.

Mandatory challenger Whyte was absent for the pre-fight news conference last month but appeared four days before the bout alongside Fury, who heaped praise on his opponent.

"We're going to treat you all to a hell of a barnstormer," Fury said on Wednesday.

"He's a good fighter. A good, strong, solid man. He has good punch with good power – he's knocked out a lot of men.

"He's definitely a man who needs a lot of respect and that's what I've given him by my training camp. I've trained as hard for Dillian as I have for [Deontay] Wilder, [Wladimir] Klitschko or anybody.

"I see the odds and laugh a bit because they're coming from people who don't know anything about boxing. This is heavyweight boxing. Anyone can win with one punch. 

"If I'm not on my A-Game, this guy will knock my head right off my shoulders."

Meanwhile, Whyte refused to explain his lack of attendance at the previous news conference, though he commented "there's two sides to every story" after Fury previously suggested his absence showed he was already "waving the white flag".

Whyte added: "You lot hear one side because they say a lot of things. Because I don't say anything, they say you're scared or hiding."

The commotion of the build-up aside, Whyte expressed his excitement for his shot at the world title in his home city of London.

"It means everything to fight in my own country, and for the world title. Wembley is not too far from where I'm from," he said.

"I'm ready to rock and roll."

Tyson Fury paid tribute to "fantastic opponent" Dillian Whyte ahead of the pair's record-breaking Wembley Stadium bout next weekend.

The undefeated WBC champion faces his British rival and mandatory challenger at the national stadium on April 23, in what he says will be the final fight of his 31–0–1 career.

Despite having previously compared their bout as "a Ferrari racing a Vauxhall Corsa" in March, Fury was complimentary of Whyte's prowess and 28–2 record ahead of their match.

"Whyte is a fantastic opponent," he told a pre-fight news conference. "He is the guy who has been mandatory for however long, the guy everyone has been avoiding.

"Nobody wanted to fight Dillian Whyte for whatever reason. He’s a vicious puncher, great puncher to the body, very compact, solid.

"He has a fantastic record of only two losses. The fight sold out in just a few hours, so it's a fight people are excited about, and I can't wait to put on a great show."

With 94,000 tickets reportedly sold for the sell-out event, Fury and Whyte's clash is set take the record for the most-attended boxing bout on British soil in history.

Indeed, it will come close to the all-time stadium record too, likely falling only short of Adele's 2017 concert residency, and Fury is happy to mix music metaphors into his showmanship.

"I am ready to rock ’n’ roll, man," he added. "It will be a performance for the ages — 94,000 people, the biggest sporting crowd they have ever had at Wembley.

"It's going to be an absolutely fantastic event, and I'm very much looking forward to it and to putting on a great show."

 

Dillian Whyte reminded people that it is not the Tyson Fury show when the pair meet at Wembley Stadium.

The undefeated Fury will put his WBC belt on the line in a heavyweight bout on April 23 after mandatory challenger Whyte knocked out Alexander Povetkin to earn a shot against his fellow Briton.

Fury has already suggested he will retire after the clash with Whyte, who did not attend the first media conference to preview the fight before breaking his social media silence last week on Instagram.

But Whyte finally ended his media hiatus to discuss the showdown as he promised a two-way battle, as opposed to the "one-way traffic" he feels that has wrongfully been portrayed.

"This is a business," he 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."

Whyte has previously expressed disappointment with his share of the purse, with Fury pocketing £24million to the former's £6m.

While the challenger was left frustrated with the finances behind the fight, he referenced previous failures to agree a bout with Fury as a reason for his earlier refusals to speak to the media.

"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."

Frustrations aside, Whyte insists it would be the pinnacle if he could become the champion of the world in front of a packed crowd at Wembley, where 94,000 are expected to attend.

"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."

Tyson Fury has vowed to be more aggressive than he's ever been when he fights Dillian Whyte next month.

Fury will put his WBC belt on the line in all-British heavyweight bout at Wembley Stadium on April 23.

The unbeaten 33-year-old has claimed the fight in London will "100 per cent" be the last of his brilliant career.

If that is the case, Fury says he will sign off in style at the expense of Whyte.

"I'm going to try and come in the heaviest I've ever been," Fury told Sky Sports News. "Biggest fight - so I'm going to be the heaviest, strongest, fittest, more aggressive than I've ever been.

"I'm looking for the knockout. No secret, there's no point in me lying about gameplans. What I'm going to do, is I'm going to come straight to the centre of the ring, back him up and land big heavy punches on him until he's knocked out."

Fury does not expect the fight to go the distance.

"I think someone's getting knocked out," Fury said. "Whether it's going to be me on the front foot or him on the back foot, someone's getting chinned.

"Every heavyweight poses a threat because they're all big men, they can all knock another man out.

"It's something that I'm looking forward to, the challenge, if he can knock me out, good luck to him. If not, onto the next one."

Tyson Fury has claimed it is "100 per cent" certain that he will retire after his fight with Dillian Whyte in April, casting doubt over whether he will ever face Anthony Joshua.

Fury and Joshua's camps were supposedly close to reaching an agreement for a huge heavyweight bout this year, yet that deal failed to materalise.

Instead, Fury is taking on another of British boxing's big names in the form of Whyte, who he faces at Wembley Stadium on April 23, with the WBC belt on the line.

However, 33-year-old Fury says he has no intention of carrying on his career after facing Whyte, who did not attend the first media conference to preview the fight.

Fury said the fight would "100 per cent" be the last of his career.

"I'm a two-time undisputed world champion," he added.

"This is the final fight of my career, I'm retiring after this, $150million in the bank, nothing to prove to anybody, healthy, young, I'm gonna buy a massive yacht abroad.

"I'm retiring, I'm out, this is my final fight, I'm done."

Fury has won 31 of his 32 professional fights, with the other being a contentious tie in his first of three meetings with Deontay Wilder – he triumphed in the second and third bouts.

Tyson Fury has promised he would go to war for England as he praised those attempting to defend Ukraine from Russia's invasion.

The British heavyweight vowed to follow the lead of the likes of brothers Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko and Oleksandr Usyk if his homeland issues a call to arms.

WBC champion Fury said he would be "first in line" if civilians were to be conscripted.

Vitali Klitschko is mayor of Kyiv, while his brother and fellow former world heavyweight champion Wladimir has joined a territorial defense brigade. Usyk, a reigning world heavyweight champion, has also signed up, as has fellow star boxer Vasiliy Lomachenko.

Fury said in a news conference on Tuesday: "Fantastic. I'll be the first one to join up if England get involved or America. I'll be first in line for the job.

"My dad will as well, me and all the boys will be signing up to defend. So that's what I've got to say.

"If you're from that country and living there, defend it. Love your woman and fight for your country, that's what I say."

Fury puts his WBC heavyweight belt on the line against Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium on April 23.

It remains to be seen when the likes of Usyk and Lomachenko become available to resume their sporting careers

Frank Warren, Fury's co-promoter, said: "Everybody should be absolutely pulling for Ukraine, standing up to the bully, standing up for democracy.

"Those four fighters, everybody should be behind them. It's magnificent what they're doing."

Dillian Whyte did not attend the first news conference ahead of his bout with Tyson Fury, who insisted he "will not fail" to prove his quality.

Fury puts his WBC heavyweight belt on the line against Whyte at Wembley Stadium on April 23.

Despite the magnitude of the all-British bout, however, Whyte snubbed the chance to face the media on Tuesday.

According to reports, Whyte chose to remain at his training camp in Portugal instead.

That gave Fury free rein to speak, and he took that opportunity before capping off his appearance by facing off against Whyte's poster, in lieu of the man himself.

"I'm looking to show the people and the boxing fraternity how good I really am," said Fury, who defeated Deontay Wilder in their trilogy fight last year.

"And what better opponent to do it against than against a guy who’s been calling for it for 352 years. He finally gets his shot, on the biggest stage, against the biggest champion, on the biggest night.

"I will not fail. I'll show you how great I really am.

"I beat men like him seven days a week and 62 times on a Sunday and I'm going to prove that to you come April 23."

Whyte, who has won 28 of his 30 professional fights, comes into the clash on the back of his TKO victory over Alexander Povetkin, who defeated "The Body Snatcher" in 2020.

But Fury suggested his opponent had shown weakness by failing to attend the media gathering.

"He has definitely shown a white flag today," Fury said. "All this social media stuff, 'I'm not promoting the fight, I'm not getting involved in mind games'. He's given me that much more confidence - it's unbelievable.

"He's terrified. He's definitely showing the white flag in my estimation of this fight.

"The way he's going on about it, saying he doesn't want to go face-to-face, of course he doesn't, because he'll see that fire in my eyes and he'll think, 'I'm getting smashed to bits'.

"That's what it is, it's fear, it's terror. It's all of the above and I don't blame him for not being here today."

Dillian Whyte labelled Anthony Joshua the number one "bull***t guy" in response to comments his rival made about his upcoming WBC heavyweight title fight against Tyson Fury.

Fury puts his belt on the line against Whyte at Wembley Stadium on April 23, while Joshua is slated for a rematch against Oleksandr Usyk, who holds the WBA Super, WBO and IBF straps.

Speaking to IFL TV, Joshua said he was rooting for long-time rival Whyte when he dons the gloves against Fury in a huge domestic showdown.

"It's a good opponent [for Fury], it's a good [title] defence against Dillian Whyte," Joshua said.

"Dillian Whyte needs to come in, look at what Tyson Fury does and reacts to, and do the complete opposite. Maybe work the body, and be conditioned to go the distance.

"I'm rooting for Dillian, even though I hate him, and I want to smash him one of these days. Go on Dillian, I'm with you all the way."

Replying on his Instagram story, Whyte seemed to be affronted by Joshua's declaration of hatred.

"Why so bitter. Number 1 bulls*** guy. @anthonyjoshua what did I ever do to you man," Whyte posted, before adding good luck to Joshua in the bout against Usyk.

In a seeming bid to defuse any simmering tensions, Joshua replied on his own Instagram story: "Hate is a strong word I respect you champ. I Just want to fight you at some point."

Joshua defeated Whyte with a seventh-round knockout when the two met back in December 2015.

Anthony Joshua revealed he will be rooting for Dillian Whyte against Tyson Fury despite expressing his hatred for him.

The all-British showdown between WBC champion Fury and mandatory challenger Whyte was finally confirmed for Wembley Stadium on April 23 after weeks of negotiations.

Joshua was expected to fight for the unified heavyweight titles against Oleksandr Usyk shortly after, but there are doubts over the bout with the Ukrainian reportedly returning home following the invasion by Russia.

The winner of the clash between Joshua and Usyk, whenever that is scheduled for, will likely be the next opponent for the victor of Fury's second world title defence.

But Joshua has made it clear who he wants to see come out on top as Whyte looks to an end Fury's unbeaten record.

"It's a good opponent [for Fury], it's a good [title] defence against Dillian Whyte," Joshua told iFL TV.

"Dillian Whyte needs to come in, look at what Tyson Fury does and reacts to, and do the complete opposite. Maybe work the body, and be conditioned to go the distance. 

"But I hope Dillian trains hard [and] doesn't underestimate Tyson. Because it's his first shot for Dillian, I think he'll be hungry, do you know what I mean?

"This ain't like his tenth time fighting for a title, you can have a little hiccup along the way. This is his first time fighting for the title.

"I'm rooting for Dillian, even though I hate him, and I want to smash him one of these days. Go on Dillian, I'm with you all the way."

Joshua, who defeated Whyte in December 2015, was due to face Fury last year before a court ruling ordered the final bout of a trilogy battle with Deontay Wilder.

Meanwhile, Joshua continues his preparations for a rematch with Usyk, despite the uncertainties surrounding the showdown due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

When asked whether he was concerned for Usyk, Joshua responded: "I've learnt sport and politics go hand in hand, and they're powerful voices, and it's good that they're speaking up.

"They're not pushing for war, they're saying 'let's find peace.' So good luck to them, and that's it really, before I go on and say something wrong."

Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte's heavyweight title fight will take place at Wembley Stadium on April 23.

WBC champion Fury was ordered to defend his belt against mandatory challenger Whyte, with the latter signing the contract on the brink of the deadline as he pushed for a higher share of the purse.

Frank Warren's Queensbury Promotions won the bid to stage the fight, which must take place by April 24, with Fury expected to pocket £24million to Whyte's £6m.

It will be Fury's first fight in the United Kingdom since 2018, with his previous five bouts taking place in the United States - three of those coming against Deontay Wilder who he displaced as WBC champion.

Whyte has long since been the WBC's top-ranked contender but has had to remain patient for his first crack at a world title, which he will now get in the all-British showdown.

Fury’s promoter Warren said upon confirmation: "Tyson Fury coming home to fight under the arch at Wembley Stadium is a fitting reward for the No.1 heavyweight in the world following his exploits across the Atlantic in his epic trilogy against Deontay Wilder.

"The fact that this mandatory defence of his WBC title comes against another Brit only adds to the occasion.

"They are two of the biggest characters in British sport and both normally have plenty to say for themselves.

"It is going to be an incredible night and a huge occasion for sport in this country that will capture the imagination of fans right across the world."

Meanwhile, Fury's US promoter Bob Arum believes Whyte has little chance of overcoming Fury.

"Tyson Fury conquered America, and it is only fitting that he defends the heavyweight championship in a packed Wembley Stadium," Arum said.

"Dillian Whyte has called for this fight for years, and while he is a deserving challenger, no heavyweight can match 'The Gypsy King.'"

Tyson Fury has told Dillian Whyte to "step up and take your beating" after an extension was granted for the two fighters' camps to agree on the terms of a bout.

Fury and Whyte were permitted an additional 48 hours by the World Boxing Council (WBC) to negotiate their fight before purse bids are made.

The deadline had been 6pm on Wednesday but has now been pushed back two days, though the WBC confirmed that it would be the final extension.

A statement posted on the WBC's website said: "The World Boxing Council has received once again requests from the teams of Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte, to extend the period of free negotiations.

"The WBC has granted this final extension and If there is no agreement, a purse bid will be held this coming Friday, January 28."

Whyte is the mandatory challenger for Fury's WBC heavyweight title but is currently in arbitration with the governing body.

After the announcement of the extension, Fury took to Twitter to say: "Time to step up and take your beating."

Fury's camp had previously made it known they wanted Anthony Joshua to step aside from his planned rematch with Oleksandr Usyk after the latter's triumph in September, which would allow the WBC champion to go up against the Ukrainian in a unification bout.

The Telegraph reported that Joshua had agreed to forego the rematch for a fee of £15million, though the former world champion denied claims a deal had been struck.

In a video posted to his official social media channels on Tuesday, Fury made it clear that he had had enough of waiting, saying: "Tick tick tock. The time has run out of the bottle. You're all getting a good hiding – cowards."

Tyson Fury is running out of patience as the heavyweight champion waits to find out who his next opponent will be.

Fury's camp want Anthony Joshua to step aside from his planned rematch with Oleksandr Usyk after the latter's triumph in September.

That would allow Fury to go up against the Ukrainian in a heavyweight unification bout.

The Telegraph reported on Sunday that Joshua had agreed to forego the rematch and receive a £15million payout in return.

However, Joshua denied the claims a deal had been struck. Should nothing be agreed by Wednesday, then purse bids with Dillian Whyte – the WBC mandatory challenger – will go ahead, with that lined up as Fury's next fight instead.

In a video posted to his official social media channels on Tuesday, Fury, who defeated Deontay Wilder last year in the final fight of their trilogy contest, made it clear that he had had enough of waiting.

"Another gym session done, Tuesday morning smashed," the 33-year-old said.

"Tick tick tick effing tick tock is the subject of today. Is Dillian Whyte going to fight me? Is Anthony Joshua going to step aside?

"Let me know. Because I am sick of looking at these bums, sick of listening to their excuses.

"Tick tick tock. The time has run out of the bottle. You're all getting a good hiding – cowards."

Usyk, who is two years older than Fury, has won all 19 of his professional fights, including 13 knockouts.

Fury's record stands at 33 victories and one draw – the contentious first fight against Wilder in 2018.

Artur Beterbiev retained his light heavyweight titles with a ninth-round stoppage of Marcus Browne as he preserved his perfect knockout record on Saturday.

In a brutal bloodfest in Montreal, unbeaten champion Beterbiev defended his unified WBC and IBF belts against mandatory challenger Browne courtesy of his 17th knockout in 17 fights.

Both men were left bloodied following a clash of heads in the fourth round – Beterbiev (17-0) had a deep gash that poured blood from the centre of his forehead, while Brown was leaking from the outside of his eye.

Beterbiev eventually overpowered Brown (24-2), flooring his opponent in the seventh round before a body shot in the ninth saw the fight come to an end.

"We win this fight," said Beterbiev. "This is another experience in my career. This is boxing.

"You never know what happens in boxing. I'm happy to get the win. I have two world titles. I am open to fighting the other champions in my division.

"I am happy I had the opportunity to give the great fans of Montreal a memorable championship fight."

The WBC has ordered Tyson Fury to defend his heavyweight belt against mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte.

WBC champion Fury (31-0-1) and WBC interim holder Whyte (28-2) are on track to meet in the ring next year after the World Boxing Council forced negotiations for the mandatory bout on Tuesday.

Whyte moved in line for the fight after the 30-day period granted by the WBC for Fury and IBF, WBA and WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk to arrange an undisputed showdown passed without negotiations.

"Fury has been mandated to fight me twice. He asked for the WBC 'Diamond' belt to fight me, but ran away when they agreed. He just keeps making excuses," Whyte told Sky Sports last month.

"Hopefully now he's got no choice. What's he going to do? Throw the belt in the bin and run away from more money than he got to fight [Deontay] Wilder?

"Obviously he says he's a fighting man and a man of his word, but we all know he talks a lot of s***, so let's see. He said he was going to fight me after he beat Wilder, then he ran away. Let's see what he does."

Fury defended his belt with a devastating 11th-round knockout of Deontay Wilder in October.

British star Fury stayed undefeated thanks to his 11th-round KO against Wilder in their blockbuster trilogy in Las Vegas.

In an all-time epic bout, Fury was dropped twice but got the better of Wilder (42-2-1), who showed incredible courage to make it to the penultimate round having appeared out on his feet.

Fellow Brit Whyte avenged his loss to Alexander Povetkin with a fourth-round TKO in March earlier this year, reclaim the WBC interim title.

The 33-year-old has scored wins over Joseph Parker and Derek Chisora in his career, while he lost to Anthony Joshua via TKO in 2015.

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