Dillian Whyte is embracing the underdog role ahead of his fight with red-hot heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma.
Much is expected of the gifted 20-year-old southpaw ahead of his Saturday bout with Whyte in Saudi Arabia, and that means there is next to no pressure on the veteran Londoner, Whyte.
“It’s good to be back,” Whyte said at today’s grand arrivals. “Obviously I’m up against it, everyone’s writing me off. It’s good. It’s a good place to be. I’ve got nothing to lose. It’s good to be in this position. Normally, I’m in the underdog position, but I’ve got nothing to lose.”
Whyte is 37 years old and his last big fight was against Tyson Fury in 2022. He had been scheduled to rematch Anthony Joshua, but an adverse finding in his drugs test saw Whyte replaced by Robert Helenius at short notice.
Whyte has avenged a loss to Alexander Povetkin, and he still has the ambition to box rematches with Joshua – who stopped him earlier in their careers – and Fury, who stopped him in a world title fight in Wembley Stadium.
“I’d love to avenge my two defeats. I’d love to fight for the world title again. I don’t think I did myself justice last time,” Whyte said.
Whyte also said that the size of the occasion was nothing new to him.
“A lot of it’s new to him [Itauma],” he said. “I’ve been here so many times.”
For his part, the always-relaxed Itauma said he was hoping to find out more about himself against Whyte.
Just 12-0 (10 KOs), Itauma admitted: “Dillan’s boxed a lot more rounds than I have, that brings a lot of experience. He said it himself in the Face Off when he said I’m a young guy but I’ve had loads of experience. What he means by that is although I haven’t done it in the bright lights, because I haven’t been able to because guys haven’t been able to go surpass the sixth round, I have experienced it in sparring. As much as you want to find out about me, I’m going into this fight finding out about myself. I’ve proved from time to time in my sparring sessions what I’m capable of, so that’s why I’ve got the confidence. But I don’t know what I’m capable of under the bright lights.”
Itauma addressed lingering questions about his chin and engine and smiled: “When I find out, you’re gonna find out.”
Also on the bill, WBA featherweight champion Nick Ball faces Australian Sam Goodman, who is unbeaten and moving up in weight for the opportunity.
Ball is 22-0-1 (13 KOs) and the all-action Liverpudlian said he has done no homework ahead of the fight.
“Not really, no,” said the Englishman. “I don’t know much about him. I don’t really study my opponent. I leave that to my coaches and I’ll see them on the night.”
Asked about his gameplan, Ball said: “Straight in there, straight to it. All action and see what I’ve got to do on the night.”
It’s Ball’s third fight in Saudi Arabia having had two title defenses – against Ronny Rios and TJ Doheny – back in Liverpool.
“When I was coming up, I wanted to get the world title and the No. 1 spot, and now that I’ve got it, I don’t want to let it go so it’s like you’re more hungry,” said the champion.
Goodman, 20-0 (8 KOs), said: “I’m ready to do the job. I’ve prepared hard and I’m ready to shock the world. This is a lifelong goal and a lifelong dream. Me and my team have worked relentlessly towards it and we’re ready to achieve it this Saturday.
“I’m going to go absolutely right through him.”
Japanese junior lightweight prospect Hayato Tsutsumi, 7-0 (4 KOs), said he was hopeful of showing the Saudi fans a KO against Qais Ashfaq.
“I’m very excited to come to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and I can’t wait for this weekend,” he said.
Ashfaq, who is 13-3-1 (5 KOs), understands there are high hopes for his opponent.
“I feel great, I feel like I’m where I supposed to be,” he said.
“No doubt I’m fighting I’m a good fighter, but I believe in my ability, I know what I can do, all you’ve got to do is wait until Saturday night and you’ll see it.”
At heavyweight, Croat Filip Hrgovic – 18-1 (14 KOs) – denied the accusations of opponent David Adeleye, 14-1 (13 KOs), that the more experienced European was looking beyond the Englishman.
“I’m glad to be here and I enjoy to box here and thank you to Saudi Arabia for hosting me and your kindness. I can’t wait for Saturday,” said Hrgovic.
“I’m not overlooking him. I did a hard training camp. I did everything I normally do, so I’m ready for everything.”
It seemed Adeleye was headed into a domestic rematch with Jamie TKV until the Hrgovic opportunity arrived.
“He’s a human being and he’s nothing special,” the Adam Booth-trained Adeleye said. “So once you get to heavyweight, everyone’s as dangerous as each other. A good opportunity came and I took it.
“I know he [Hrgovic] is [overlooking him], but it don’t mean nothing. They can talk a good game, but Saturday night we’ll see what he’s all about.”
Also on the bill, at lightweight, Camden’s Ray Ford – 17-1-1 (8 KOs) – who had been due to face Anthony Cacace, meets replacement Abraham Nova.
Nova, fighting out of Albany, New York and 24-3-1 (17 KOs), said: “I’m excited, I’m here to do what I’ve got to do. I’m excited for the opportunity. I belong with the stars. My last name says it all.”
