DILLIAN WHYTE will send sparring partner Oliver Edwards back battered, bruised and HOMELESS after their Portugal lockdown camp.
But the undefeated super-middleweight prospect could not be more grateful.
Oliver Edwards has been trying to keep up with Dillian Whyte in Portugal
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Isle of Sheppey-born Edwards was thrilled to be invited to help the Brixton heavyweight train for his May 2 clash with Alexander Povetkin, for what he hoped would be a two-week crash course.
That was five weeks ago, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Manchester Arena heavyweight showdown, and Edwards’ flight home, to be postponed indefinitely.
The good news is Edwards, who trains at David Haye’s gym under mentor Ruben Tavares, has been picking up brilliant advice from the Body Snatcher both in and out of the ring.
The bad news? His dedicated sponsors at ILK Security have had to pick up his belongings from his Woolwich flat as he has not been able to maintain the rent.
Buzzing with enthusiasm, the 6-0 fitness fanatic told SunSport: “It’s not ideal having to move out of my place but I am doing two or three sessions a day with one of the best heavyweights in the world and learning so much.
“Technically, when I land back in the UK, I will be homeless for a little while but I’ll have no problem finding a place with friends and it’s a small price to pay for what I have picked up out here.
“The sparring sessions have been a huge learning curve but my biggest mistake so far has been flooring Dillian when we played Fight Night on his computer.
“I had no idea how competitive he is, about anything and everything, and since then he has punished me every time we have played, far worse than in the actual ring where he takes it down a couple of notches because of the weight difference.”
Oliver Edwards is looking to make a ring return after his extended Portugal trip
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Edwards made his pro debut in 2015 but has not boxed since September 2017 as he battled depression.
The Kent man lost his way until an airport mix-up a year ago helped turn his life around and get him back in the ring.
He said: “Personal family issues were the root of my problems but they led to me drinking too much, blowing up to almost 15st and, at one point, consider taking my life.
“Then my sponsor, who is a big football fan, thought he spotted an Arsenal player in an airport lounge and started chatting to him.
“It turned out to be Ruben, who trains athletes at the Hayemaker gym alongside Pete Marcasciano, and they arranged a trial for me and that is how this trip came about.
“Now I am here for as long as Dillian wants me to be, I certainly don’t have to worry about getting back to pay any bills at ‘home’ now.
“When I get back I will worry about where I am going to live, I have great sponsors who help me, right now that’s the least of my worries.”
While in the camp, Whyte has been dreaming of a return to MMA and a bid to become the first man to reign as a boxing and UFC champion.
Super-middleweight Oliver Edwards has lost his home but gained great experience
And Edwards has backed his career crossover after being shocked by how supple the 18st powerhouse is.
He said: “We do a stretching session after our sprint runs and I remember looking at him baffled and asking how he was so flexible.
“That’s when he told me that he had done kickboxing and it dawned on me that not only do you have to worry about this killer left hook and chopping right hand, he could also kick you in the head whenever he fancied it, he’s an unbelievable athlete.”
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Dillian Whyte pumps iron and works out in brutal training routine
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
