Dillian Whyte has perhaps the biggest fight of his life coming up against Tyson Fury on April 23. Whyte will have a chance to grab both WBC and The Ring Magazine Heavyweight belts this weekend.
Ahead of the much-anticipated contest, let us a take look at Whyte’s amateur career. Before turning professional in 2011, Dillian had 6 amateur boxing matches. But none were more memorable than his debut fight. In 2009, Dillan took on his fellow countryman Anthony Joshua.
However, at the time, Joshua was yet to make the most of his potential as he went on to have one of the best amateur careers in boxing as he won the Olympic Gold Medal at 2012’s London Olympic games. But on the night, he lost to Dillian Whyte via unanimous decision.
The bout really shows the progression they have made since their amateur careers. Both Joshua and Whyte started the fight in sixth gear. They kept throwing haymakers in the hope to secure a knockout victory. Neither took a step backward and it was a thoroughly entertaining fight throughout.
Dillian rocked AJ at one point in the fight which sent him tumbling towards the ropes. Although he survived the moment but ended up losing via judges’ decision anyway. However, it did not hamper any of their growth as both of them went on to have successful careers anyway.
How much did Dillian Whyte make for beating Anthony Joshua in 2009?
Years later, Dillian Whyte looked back on the fight which ultimately became famous later on. Although nowadays he may earn millions every time he steps inside the ring. However, it was not the case 13 years ago. In a podcast, Dillian revealed that he only made 300 pounds for the fight. However, he did not complain. On the contrary, he was surprised to have been paid. ‘The Body Snatcher‘ added,
“I remember, I had an amateur fight somewhere and I beat the guy, I think it was the Joshua fight, and the coach comes to me and he gave me like 300 quid and he said, ‘this is your exes,’ and I was like ‘what?’. So you’re telling me I get paid to beat people up? And he went, ‘yeah, here are your exes’,” (h/t The Sun)
Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte crossed paths once again in December of 2015. Both fighters were undefeated ahead of the clash. But Whyte failed to repeat his success against AJ, dropping a KO loss and in the process, marking the first time he was defeated inside the boxing ring.
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Ironically he had the chance to grab the WBC title in that fight as well. Dillian Whyte currently holds the interim WBC heavyweight championship and he will look to pull off an upset victory against, arguably the greatest living heavyweight fighter of all time, Tyson Fury.