Watch Whyte-Rivas on July 20, live on Sky Sports Box Office, with Allen-Price and Chisora-Szpilka on O2 bill
Tuesday 16 July 2019 06:06, UK
Dillian Whyte has been working tirelessly for a world title fight, but can he prove himself at the highest level? The Panel of experts have given their verdict...
The British heavyweight risks his status as the WBC's No 1 contender against Oscar Rivas at The O2, live on Sky Sports Box Office, with the winner staying in line for a shot at current WBC king Deontay Wilder.
Whyte firmly believes he is a future world champion - and the Sky Sports experts have analysed his key attributes...
I've been watching some footage of Joe Frazier. He was crude, rugged, wasn't a sweet boxer, but he was tough, he was determined. He was hungry and that's Dillian Whyte.
If you're looking at hunger, desire, natural instinct, yes in every way.
If you looking for finesse in boxing ability, no. If you're looking at hunger, desire, natural instinct, yes in every way. That's why he's the guy that people just want to avoid.
I'm quite sure all the other fighters are hoping that he loses to shut him up and get him out of the way. Dillian Whyte is that dangerous guy, because he's hungry, he's hunting, he's chasing.
Dillian has always impressed me with his ability to stay in a fight and be mentally strong. That ultimately carries him, even when nights get tougher and hard to deal with.
At a world class level, the margins are very small, but I think he's up there with the rest of the world class fighters. On his night, Dillian can win a world title. He has got a good left hook, he goes to the body very well. He's mentally strong, so he imposes himself on you, and knows how to make it uncomfortable for you. The combination of those qualities helps.
Dillian has always impressed me with his ability to stay in a fight and be mentally strong. That ultimately carries him, even when nights get tougher and hard to deal with. His desire is very strong and he shows it, not just with the skill-set, but with the determination to pull through.
He has got attributes that can get him to become a world champion.
He's got a devastating left hook, he's got an underrated jab and he's got that fight in him. He has got attributes that can get him to become a world champion.
He's proven that when he gets hits hard, he can come back and he knows enough to survive. A lot of people point to the last round of the Joseph Parker fight as proof of his vulnerability, but it's all right being vulnerable and being hurt, if you know what to do when you are hurt. He held on for dear life and he got through it. That's the experience you need to get up there.
He could potentially beat Deontay Wilder, although Wilder does carry that ferocious power. It's another tough fight.
I think he's one of the top heavyweights in the world, so if the titles did get fragmented, then he could definitely win a version of one. Whyte has been in that position with the WBC for so long, he deserves his shot at the title, without a doubt.
Tyson Fury could be a bad fight for him. I'm not sure he has the mobility, the speed of foot. But he could potentially beat Deontay Wilder, although Wilder does carry that ferocious power. It's another tough fight.
Whyte has also got raw power, he can take opponents out with a single shot, and that's what you need at the top level.
If he gets the opportunity, he's definitely got the qualities to win a world title. He's got a little bit of everything and he's an unpredictable fighter with an unusual style.
Whyte has also got raw power, he can take opponents out with a single shot, and that's what you need at the top level.
In his last fight against Derek Chisora, he was behind on the scorecards and went on to win, taking out Chisora in the 11th round. He also proved himself against Parker, got floored in the 12th round, and stuck it out.
Dillian Whyte battles Oscar Rivas on July 20, live on Sky Sports Box Office, with David Allen against David Price and Derek Chisora versus Artur Szpilka on The O2 bill.
