Returning to the ring for the first time since undergoing shoulder surgery after his exciting loss to current IBF heavyweight ruler Anthony Joshua, Dillian Whyte will face short notice foe Danny Batchelder this Saturday on the Joshua-Breazeale card at The O2. 28-year-old Whyte, 16-1(13) last boxed in December, the 7th-round stoppage loss to A.J, and he is chasing a rematch with Joshua. As a comeback opponent, Batchelder, 31-11-1(15) is not a bad choice; even if the man from Phoenix has seen better days.
Go back a few years, to 2007 and 2008, and Batchelder was facing former world champions James Toney and Lamon Brewster and giving them good fights, Toney especially, who won only a split decision over him. A top class journeyman/trial horse in his day, Batchelder could always be relied upon to give world class fighters a decent enough test. But Batchelder, who has been stopped six times, has not fought in almost a full year and he lost his last two bouts. Before that, though, Batchelder had reeled off six straight wins (against limited opposition).
Batchelder might be capable of taking White a few rounds on Saturday, a lot will depend on what kind of shape the 39-year-old turns up in. Whyte might want to get a few rounds under his belt as he tests out his shoulder following the surgery. Look for Batchelder to see it through to around the half way stage of the scheduled eight-rounder, or maybe last a bit longer than that.
If all goes well for Whyte, he will be back in action in Leeds on July 30th, against a TBA, on what promises to be a great card – featuring Josh Warrington, Luke Campbell, Tommy Coyle and Frankie Gavin all in action.
Whyte remains an exciting and promising heavyweight despite, or maybe because of, the Joshua fight. Whyte lost but no fighter has managed to hit and hurt Joshua the way he did. The rematch “The Body Snatcher” is chasing could well happen. Whyte must first look good in his two return fights though.