Dillian Whyte destructive in victory / Still on for Anthony Joshua fight, says Hearn

By Olly Campbell - 08/02/2015 - Comments

YouTube video

Brixton’s Dillian Whyte, sporting his new “Body Snatcher” moniker disposed of Brazil’s Irineu Costa Jnr (now 17-5, 15ko) in effortless fashion last night ahead of his penciled in clash with old amateur rival and Olympic gold medalist Anthony Joshua later this year.

Joshua boxes Scotland’s Gary Cornish for the vacant Commonwealth title on September 12th in London, with Whyte scheduled also to box again on that date against a TBA opponent before their eventual November/December meeting.

“Yes they’re both going to fight on September 12th. Joshua has Cornish (on that date) The deal is done.” said promoter Eddie Hearn ringside after Whyte took less than a round to finish the hapless Brazilian, who had previously lasted 6 and 4 rounds with David Price and Joseph Parker respectively before eventually being stopped.

It was an impressive showing from the Brixton man who, with former Emmanuel Steward charge Johnathon Banks in the corner, set about the task immediately, establishing his jab to both head and body, sending Costa Jnr crashing down for the first time with a clubbing right hand/left hook that had him already mentally scrabbling for the exit.

Moments later a left to the temple finished Costa, yet Whyte looked visibly disappointed he hadn’t been met with more of a fight.

“I haven’t fought for 5 months, I’d have been happy with (doing) 3 or 4 rounds,” he said afterwards to iFLtv. “I said I’d give the fans a performance and knock somebody out and I (always) really want to do that.”

“On the 2nd knockdown I was like – ‘get up, please get up but obviously he was hurt and he couldn’t get up – I’ve got heavy hands and I hit hard.

“I wasn’t trying to make a statement. I just wanted to get out there and do what we’ve been practicing and get another win. I just wanna stay busy and get a lot of wins. I’ve had a lot of inactivity in my career, so I’m just trying to get active and do my thing.”

What is evident is the fact that Whyte, who has always been self-represented, is now seemingly doing things properly in terms of his fitness, nutrition and training. The hook-up with Banks, who also serves as Wladimir Klitschko’s head coach, is representative of his serious intent regarding his career, and it was evident even in the brief outing last night.

He returned to the sport after a 2 year exodus for mistakenly consuming a banned stimulant (MHA) in a perfectly legal over the counter product last November, and has boxed six times since. Like Kevin Johnson was meant to present Joshua with a test back in May (before being blown away), Whyte is keen also for a step up in class in September before the Joshua fight.

Yet whomever is in the opposite corner, Joshua included, Whyte sees them only going one way.

“I’m heavy handed and I can punch. When I’m on form, relaxed and do my thing properly I can knock any man out.”

Whyte will be heading with Banks to the new Kronk facility in Detroit to prepare for the next fight and December’s bout with Joshua.

Hopefully Eddie Hearn will stick good to his word and match the two heavies in December as promised, although one can’t help but get a sneaking suspicion that he will now wish to build the fight a bit more in order to build Whyte’s profile on the Sky platform, and thus make more revenue in the future.

One hope’s not as there is clearly room for both fighters in the division, win or lose in December.

Twitter @Undilutedpoison