EDDIE HEARN revealed heavyweight rivals Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora could settle their rivalry in an MMA fight.
The pair shared a thrilling 12 rounds in 2016 with Whyte winning by narrow split decision, though his round 11 KO two years later was much more decisive.
Dereck Chisora is training to make his MMA debut
Dillian Whyte has already had 21 kickboxing bouts and one in the cage
Since then the pair appeared to be on good terms before their feud was reignited when Chisora, 36, offered to help Alexander Povetkin spar ahead of his fight with Whyte.
But with the duo’s next fights both up in the air, a switch to the cage has been discussed by both.
Whyte has already had 21 kickboxing bouts and one in the cage, while Chisora revealed he has began MMA training ahead of a Bellator debut.
And promoter Hearn – who is also considering promoting MMA – would be happy to have the heavy-hitters complete their trilogy with 4oz gloves on.
He told Sky Sports: “Why not? We should look at fights that create attention, that people want to see.
“Whyte vs Chisora in a cage? That’s huge.
“But let’s focus on boxing for now, and understand that we are working towards Whyte’s world heavyweight title shot. That’s what we are trying to do.”
Whyte vs Chisora – MMA prediction
If the trilogy was to materalise in the cage, Whyte is the obvious favourite.
Having had experience in the cage and kickboxing, he will have more tools to use against Chisora.
But in terms of punching power, both are equal, meaning if they were to simply box in the cage, it’s fair game.
If Whyte utalises kicks and grappiling, it should steer him to a comfortable win.
Whyte, the WBC mandatory challenger, has been frustrated after the news champion Tyson Fury, who rematches Deontay Wilder next, has agreed a two-fight deal to face Anthony Joshua next year.
Amid the uncertainty over his title shot, the 32-year-old has sparked a rivalry with UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou, with the pair open to fighting in a double header, first in the ring and then cage.
But before talk of the crossover bout can go any further, Hearn is adamant he wants to deliver a world title fight for Whyte first.
He added: “We had fun with Ngannou talking about a potential fight, and I spoke to Dana White about it. But everybody’s focuses are on getting their own businesses back on track, for MMA and for boxing.
“But you can’t ignore that Whyte vs Ngannou is a huge, huge fight. The priority for Whyte, and for us, is for him to get a shot at the world heavyweight title.
“I don’t want to push MMA too hard so people say: ‘What about the world heavyweight title?’
“But I’d be lying if I didn’t say I wouldn’t be interested to see Whyte vs Ngannou – two huge knockout artists.
“People forget Whyte spent his early career kickboxing and in the cage doing MMA – this guy can do both.
“We’d be willing, against Ngannou, to do one fight in the cage and one in the ring. It would be massive.
“When I spoke to Dana White I said: ‘Let me send you the numbers. I know you have plans to focus on the UFC business but let’s look at this. It’s big business’.”
Whyte has twice beat heavyweight rival Chisora in the ringCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Watch Dillian Whyte’s savage MMA KO as he shares throwback clip
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
