Whyte vs Rivas Preview
“Dillian Whyte is risking it all again as he battles the dangerous Oscar Rivas” is the familiar message that surrounds Dillian Whyte’s last 4 fights who is once again fighting at top 15 heavyweight in the form of the little-known Colombian Oscar Rivas. This fight that is crucial to determining the top challenger in the wide open and unpredictable heavyweight division.
Whyte, 31, has been chasing a world title shot having faced 4 top 15 rated heavyweights in his last 4 fights. These fights have propelled Whyte into the top 10 of all the governing bodies. Whyte is ranked number one in both the WBO and WBC while he is number 4 in WBA rankings as well as being WBC number one for 600 days. Since his first and only loss to Anthony Joshua there has been constant improvement from the Brixton man under his trainer Mark Tibbs. This improvement is epitomised by his impressive performance against former World Champion Joseph Parker, where he was able to secure a unanimous decision victory against the New Zealander knocking him down twice and surviving a late knockdown in the 12th round himself.
In Rivas, Whyte has another highly touted opponent before him. Rivas is ranked within the top 10 of the WBO, WBA and WBC and enters the fight with a decorated amateur career with the biggest win coming against top heavyweight contender Kubrat Pulev. The Colombian former amateur, based in Canada boasts a perfect record of 26 fights with 26 wins, 18 coming by knockout.
Both Rivas and Whyte know the danger that their opponent possesses. The Briton knows that July 20th will be another stern test, one of many in his boxing career. “Oscar Rivas is undefeated and ranked in the top 10 across the board of all the governing bodies. He has been one of the most avoided heavyweight fighters in the last few years.” Rivas too recognises the ability that his opponent holds; Dillian Whyte is an excellent boxer, a world-class fighter and the number one contender.” Both hoping that this true 50-50 fight will catapult them into a world title fight.
Rivas is a relatively unknown fighter who is largely avoided and is very dangerous. Boxing commentator and analyst Steve Bunce has described this fight as a fifth consecutive ’50-50’.
STILL NO WORLD TITLE SHOT FOR WHYTE
Despite Whyte being highly ranked in all the governing bodies, the outspoken Brixton man is still waiting.
Whyte is ranked number 4 in the WBA and number 1 in both the WBO and WBC. The WBC silver champion has amassed 600 days as the WBC’s number 1 yet he has not received his shot at the WBC champion Deontay Wilder and was unable to agree terms with Anthony Joshua after Jarrell Miller failed numerous doping tests.
Whyte is still waiting for his world title shot and is becoming increasingly frustrated with the situation. “I think they're just trying to freeze me out for as long as they can, hoping I'll get older and get demotivated,"
Whyte’s situation has also frustrated promoter Eddie Hearn, “it’s time to give Dillian the fair crack of the whip for everything that he’s done”. Hearn reiterated his stance in a recent interview with Sky Sports, “We will fight tooth and nail for Dillian Whyte… he deserves justice.”
As well as the support from his promoter, he has garnered support from legendary British boxer Frank Bruno. “The WBC has to give him a squeeze and a break” the former heavyweight champion retorted, “They should apply by the rules, if you are number 1 you should be next in line to fight for the championship, stick to the rules.”
His next fight on the 20th July at the O2 in London promises to be an all action fight between two hard hitting heavyweight contenders; with a win for Whyte securing his position as next in line for the next world heavyweight title shot.
A HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWCASE
There is more than one heavyweight contest taking place at the O2 on July 20th; the headliner will be supported by Derek Chisora vs Artur Szpilka and Dave Allen vs David Price.
The enigmatic Chisora will hope to build upon an uneventful unanimous decision victory over Senad Gashi. This is Chisora’s second fight under new coach Dave Caldwell and both are looking to rebuild his career after an emphatic KO loss to Whyte in December. Spzilka is a good test and will provide a good barometer of Chisora’s improvement under Caldwell; Spzilka has fought at world championship level previously and is tough test. This is a fight that will show British fight fans how much the charismatic man from Finchley has left.
The first heavyweight showdown is an all British affair between Dave Allen and David Price. This is a domestic showdown between two heavy hitters. Dave Allen is coming off a KO victory against Lucas Browne; he will look to win his second fight under new coach Darren Barker against a vulnerable and ageing Price. Allen sees a number of weaknesses in Price’s boxing; “I’m much harder… I don’t think he has the greatest durability or endurance… I think I’m physically stronger.” These vulnerabilities have been prevalent throughout his career with all six of his loses coming by KO. However, Price himself sees weaknesses within Dave Allen; he thinks that this is a very winnable fight for himself and that the quality of Dave Allen is ‘not too much of an ask’. David Price’s power has resulted in 19 of his wins coming by knockout truly making this a 50-50.
