Dillian Whyte has been called out for a summer showdown by a domestic rival.
Former heavyweight world title challenger, Whyte was supposed to feature on Saturday’s Fabio Wardley vs Justis Huni card in Ipswich, but promoter Frank Warren revealed to BoxNation that he withdrew to pursue a “big, big fight in August.”
Former cruiserweight and bridgerweight champion, Lawrence Okolie has called for a bout with ‘The Body Snatcher’ to settle their long-running feud.
“It’s a fight that I wanted,” the 32-year-old told talkSPORT.
“I remember when we were at the last press conference together, I said win, lose or draw for him, we’ve got to fight.
“We shook hands, but you’ve got to ask Frank Warren why the fight’s not happening.
“He’s been running scared left, right and centre and just categorically says he will not fight me for whatever reason.
“So the fact he’s pulled out now, I’m relatively free, he’s relatively free.
“I think that if there’s a time to get it on now, why not now?”
Their rivalry stems back six years ago when Okolie claimed he would defeat the Brixton man when he was still campaigning at cruiserweight and subsequently posted footage of the pair sparring.
The rivals were both ringside in Manchester in February for Derek Chisora’s win over Otto Wallin and Whyte has questioned why Okolie did not approach him for a fight.
“Okolie is an internet warrior,” the 37-year-old told Pro Boxing Fans.
“He chats rubbish on the internet and you saw what happened the last time I was in Manchester, it’s all smiles and games.
‼️ Dillian Whyte is OFF Saturday’s Fabio Wardley-Justis Huni card, because Whyte is awaiting a “big, big fight in August” according to Frank Warren.
(via @BoxNation_TV) pic.twitter.com/7NzFovBS4s
— Pro Boxing Fans (@ProBoxingFans) June 4, 2025
“And when I leave you’re putting dumb stuff on the internet.
“When you see me have the same energy.
“Say something to my face when you see me.”
Whyte was last out in December when he secured a seventh round retirement win over Ebenezer Tetteh in Gibraltar.
The Brixton man was scheduled to fight Joe Joyce on April 5, but withdrew through injury, with the ‘Juggernaut’ losing to late-replacement Filip Hrgovic.
Okolie was also meant to feature on the April 5 card but suffered an injury himself, which ruled him out of facing Richard Riakporhe, but revealed that Saudi Arabian boxing chief, Turki Alalshikh wants him to fight on a card in Riyadh in August.
