Whyte: Fury's comeback fight 'very dangerous'

Dillian Whyte believes that Arslanbek Makhmudov presents a "very dangerous" challenge for Tyson Fury's upcoming return to the boxing ring. Fury is set to end a 16-month hiatus from competition when he faces Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11.

Makhmudov, standing at 6 feet 5 inches tall, is an imposing opponent renowned for his formidable punching power, boasting 19 stoppages across his 21 victories and a record of only two defeats.

Whyte, who himself was stopped by Fury in the sixth round of their WBC title fight in 2022, initially considered the fight an easy win for the 'Gypsy King'. However, after reviewing Makhmudov's recent performances, he revised his assessment. "At first I thought, easy fight for Fury, very easy fight for Fury – that was my first response," Whyte stated. "But after going back and watching Makhmudov, I said, OK, he's a tough guy, he's coming off a couple of good wins, and he's a big puncher."

He further explained that Fury's typical height and reach advantage, which has been a significant factor throughout his career, will be less pronounced against Makhmudov, making it a "very interesting fight." Whyte underscored the potential risk: "It's a very, very dangerous fight for Fury. Most boxing fans will say it's an easy fight for Fury, but I don't think it's an easy fight." He also referenced instances where Fury had been knocked down by less powerful opponents, suggesting Makhmudov's heavy hands could prove problematic.

Shifting focus to his own career, Whyte expects to resume fighting in the coming months and has recently been linked with a potential rematch against Anthony Joshua. "I would love that fight," he remarked, acknowledging their shared history and the consistent excitement their bouts deliver. While recognizing that Joshua might prefer to fight Tyson Fury given their current career stages and limited number of remaining fights, Whyte affirmed his readiness to accept a fight with Joshua if the opportunity arises, stating his enduring desire to compete against the sport's elite.

At 37 years old, Whyte maintains a strong drive to face the biggest names in boxing and is keen to "redeem himself" after his unexpected defeat to Moses Itauma last August. Despite calls for his retirement following that loss, Whyte feels fit and motivated. "A lot of people were saying I should retire after the last fight, but I feel all right, I feel good," he explained, emphasizing that he relies on the advice of his team, friends, and family regarding his career decisions. He clarified that his performance against Itauma was impacted by undisclosed issues during his training camp, and he is eager to demonstrate that that night's showing was not representative of his true capabilities.