Dillian Whyte won’t rest on his laurels

Dillian Whyte has secured a mandatory shot at the WBC world title but the heavyweight won’t be resting up waiting for that bout to come around.

Whyte once more showcased his durability and determination on Saturday, recovering from a ninth-round knockdown to overcome Oscar Rivas and keep his world heavyweight championship hopes alive at London’s O2 Arena.

Whyte is now mandatory challenger to WBC champion Deontay Wilder and must get his long-awaited world title shot before May 2020. With the American widely expected to fight both Luis Ortiz and Tyson Fury in rematches before that bout takes place, the 31-year-old fighter isn’t going to sit back and wait.

“It’s boxing, a lot of things get said and not a lot happens,” he told Sky Sports. “Being mandatory could mean I wait another 600 days. “We’re looking to fight again in November or December, we’ll sit down and have a rest.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn echoed those sentiments. Whyte has amassed 26 wins in his 27 professional fights and, after earning the judges’ call on a unanimous 115-112 115-112 116-111 decision, there will be more twists and turns ahead.

“For over 600 days he’s been number one with the WBC and now he is officially the mandatory challenger. He deserves this, he has beaten another world-class fighter in Oscar Rivas, he’s improving all the time,” said Hearn.

“He won’t sit on the WBC shot, there’s always ups-and-downs and drama with Whyte, one thing is confirmed, he is WBC Interim world champion. But more importantly than the belt, he’s now mandatory challenger, that shot will come, it’s just a case of when. “Before the end of May 2020, Dillian must fight for the full WBC world title.”