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HomeSportsBoxingDillian Whyte will appeal 'outrageous' WBC rule, says Eddie Hearn

Dillian Whyte will appeal ‘outrageous’ WBC rule, says Eddie Hearn

Dillian Whyte will object to the WBC’s ruling that prevented him becoming Deontay Wilder’s mandatory challenger, said promoter Eddie Hearn.

The governing body last week ruled that Whyte must fight Luis Ortiz in a “second mandatory” while Wilder’s next mandatory opponent would be Dominic Breazeale.

dillian whyte eddie hearn

We don’t mind fighting Ortiz but it has to be for the mandatory, not to be the ‘second mandatory’ behind a guy who has never fought an eliminator.

Eddie Hearn

“We’re going to appeal that. [WBC president] Mauricio Sulaiman said he would talk about it this week, and maybe post a resolution,” Hearn exclusively told Sky Sports.

Whyte has long been ranked No 1 by the WBC, owns their ‘silver title, and consolidated that position by beating Lucas Browne in March, but was still overlooked in favour of No 2 ranked Breazeale.

“I’ve had the sanctioning fights, I’ve done everything they have asked me to do,” Whyte told Sky Sports last week. “My information was – I was meant to be next in line.”

Hearn added: “We don’t mind fighting Ortiz but it has to be for the mandatory, not to be the ‘second mandatory’ behind a guy who has never fought an eliminator and who is behind Whyte in the rankings. It’s outrageous.”

Dominic Breazeale (L) lost to Anthony Joshua in 2016
Dominic Breazeale (L) lost to Anthony Joshua in 2016

Anthony Joshua vs Wilder for all four major world heavyweight titles is “70 percent” likely to happen next, according to Hearn, who has held “positive conversations” this week.

Joshua and Wilder’s mandatory obligations would be postponed if a deal is agreed to crown an undisputed champion – but the queue of challengers is forming behind both.

Hearn explained: “If Joshua doesn’t fight Wilder, then Wilder will fight Breazeale. If Wilder fights Breazeale, he doesn’t need to be the mandatory.

“But Wilder’s team will want Breazeale to be the mandatory because there isn’t much credibility in the fight.

“Let that fight be a voluntary, then the winner of Whyte-Ortiz is the mandatory.

Luis Ortiz (R) was beaten by Deontay Wilder in March
Luis Ortiz (R) was beaten by Deontay Wilder in March

“But, also, we’ve got purse bids next week for Whyte vs Kubrat Pulev.

“Everything is up in the air – but within the next 10 days all of those things will be a lot clearer.”

Whyte’s setback with the WBC has opened doors with the IBF, who have ordered he fights Pulev for the opportunity to become mandatory challenger to the belt owned by Joshua.

“It’s a good fight. Dillian can become IBF mandatory and that’s a good place for him to be,” Hearn said.

Kubrat Pulev withdrew from fighting Joshua last year
Kubrat Pulev withdrew from fighting Joshua last year

“[Promoter Kalle Sauerland] has Pulev and we’re in extensive dialogue to make the fight.

“I don’t think me and Kalle have ever been to a purse bid – usually we make a deal!

“Different fights have different characteristics to the deal. [Pulev] does not have corporate sponsors, an international TV deal, or the levels of control of Joshua. So, it’s just about the money.”

Whyte recently KO'd Lucas Browne
Whyte recently KO’d Lucas Browne

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