DILLIAN WHYTE believes Deontay Wilder will try to dodge him again despite the Brit heavyweight being re-instated as WBC mandatory challenger.
The Body Snatcher has never received an opportunity at a world championship despite being ranked at No 1 by the governing body since October 2017.
Dillian Whyte is adamant Deontay Wilder just does not want to fight himCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
And Whyte was stripped of his position as mandatory challenger after news of an irregular sample from a drugs test emerged following his win over Oscar Rivas earlier this year.
Yet he was cleared of any wrongdoing by UKAD just 24 hours before his points win against Mariusz Wach on the Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz undercard in Saudi Arabia.
Whyte’s suspension has now been lifted and he has been confirmed as their interim world heavyweight champion.
But speaking to Sky Sports, Whyte thinks Wilder just doesn’t want to fight him, and says the American will move to “franchise champion” instead.
‘HE DOESN’T WANT IT’
This would mean he wouldn’t be governed to fight his mandatory challengers – but it could result in the regular WBC belt become vacant.
Whyte said: “Now I’m back he will definitely move up to ‘franchise’ world champion.
“I want to fight Deontay Wilder. I’ve wanted to fight him for a long time, I still want to fight him, but he doesn’t want to fight me. It’s clear he doesn’t want to fight me.
“I just want to become world champion.
“Wilder will move to ‘franchise’ champion so I might become world champion soon anyway.”
Wilder’s next fight is scheduled to be the rematch against Tyson Fury on February 22.
Whyte, meanwhile was unconvincing on his return to the ring out in Saudi Arabia, beating Wach on a unanimous decision.
The Bodysnatcher has been linked with a rematch against two-time heavyweight champ and old rival Anthony Joshua.
But AJ is likely to fight Kubrat Pulev first, then perhaps Oleksandr Usyk after that.
Deontay Wilder is the WBC heavyweight champ – but could be moved up to Franchise ChampCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Dillian Whyte got the win against Mariusz Wach against Saudi Arabia but came in heavyCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Dillian Whyte vs Mariusz Wach: Round by Round
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
