Via Charles Brun: Dillian ‘The Bodysnatcher’ Whyte and WBO 13th nominee Jermaine Franklin are said to be nearing completion on Nov.
Franklin, 28, is a boxer who was mentioned as a possibility for Whyte (28-3, 19 KOs) for a while after his bout with Otto Wallin failed.
Whyte fighting Franklin will land him a solid victory, which will keep him in the big money rematch with Anthony Joshua in 2023. Whyte hasn’t fought since being beaten by Fury knocked down in six innings last April.
The 35-year-old Whyte is ranked 7th in WBC despite being knocked out in the 6th round by Tyson Fury earlier in the year. Given the fearsome performance Whyte put up against Fury, you could argue that he should be bottom of the WBC rankings at #15 or below.
It’s not clear why Whyte’s management was interested in the Franklin war, as he was not well known in America despite being from there. Chances are, Whyte could lose to the guy if he hits a shot straight to the chin.
Losing to an unknown boxer like Franklin would be a disaster for Whyte, who was knocked out in two of the last three fights by Alexander Povetkin and 41-year-old Tyson Fury.
Surprisingly Matchroom boxing promoter Eddie Hearn wants to fight Anthony Joshua against Whyte next year in a stadium bout. That shows you how much Joshua has fallen as a boxer.
Hearn can also match Joshua to adventurer Chris Arreola because he’s essentially the same fighter as Whyte.
Whyte had the opportunity to face WBA regular heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois for the title, but instead, Whyte chose to face the little-known WBO Franklin number 13.
It was a wise move for Whyte because, with Dubois’ poor punching ability, advanced age and immense strength, he likely wouldn’t last beyond the third round with the 25-year-old.
Hearn seems very serious about wanting to fight Joshua against Whyte next year. It was a fight that British boxing fans will love, but it was an absolutely horrible fight in reality.
Joshua knocked out Whyte in the seventh round in 2015, and there’s no telling if the rematch will be any different. Whyte’s punch resistance seems to have gone downhill considerably since that match, leaving him vulnerable to an early knock.
