Promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed plans to have heavyweight Dillian Whyte face Kubrat Pulev in the summer in an eliminator for the IBF number one contender position. The IBF heavyweight champion is Anthony Joshua, who also holds the WBA and WBO heavyweight crowns.
Whyte 23-1 (17) is already the leading contender for Deontay Wilder’s WBC heavyweight title.
“There is talk of Dillian Whyte boxing in July,” Hearn told Sky Sports in an interview this week. “The 21st is a potential date for Dillian Whyte, but still, we have to look to agree terms with Kubrat Pulev and [promoter] Kalle Sauerland, and his team. That will be an eliminator for Anthony Joshua.
Whyte was last in action in March when he battered Lucas Browne 25-1 (22) around the ring, handing the big Australian his first loss when he knocked him out cold in the sixth.
“Dillian Whyte is right up there,” said Hearn. “He’s No 1 in the WBC, he’s got a fight to become No 1 in the IBF. He’s five or six with the WBA, same with the WBO. He’s a guy who is on the verge of a heavyweight world title shot and he can do it. I believe he can win.
“If Deontay Wilder doesn’t man up, and fight Anthony Joshua, there’s Dillian Whyte waiting for him as well, if he wants to make a few quid.
“Dillian Whyte is there, he’s game, he will fight anyone, and we’re looking for a summer return.”
Pulev, a 36-year-old Bulgarian who goes by the nickname “The Cobra”, has a record of 25-1 (13) and was set to face Anthony Joshua last October until a shoulder injury forced his withdrawal two weeks out from the fight. He was replaced by Carlos Takam who was stopped in 10 rounds.
Pulev’s lone loss came to Wladimir Klitschko in 2014. The 30-year-old Whyte was stopped in seven rounds by Joshua in a fight for the Commonwealth title in 2015.
