Dillian Whyte was questioned over his decision to face rising prospect Moses Itauma by former rival Derek Chisora.
Chisora revealed he turned down the opportunity to face Itauma before Whyte accepted the challenge for August 16 in Riyadh.
According to ‘The Body Snatcher’, Chisora called him up to query his choice to face the 20-year-old, who starts off as a heavy favourite in his biggest test to date.
Whyte edged Chisora by split decision in a thriller in 2016, before scoring a brutal 11th round knockout in their rematch two years later.
The pair were reportedly in talks for a third outing before the Brixton man opted to face Itauma and the 37-year-old has hit back at his old foe’s comments.
Whyte told the Ring Magazine: “He said, ‘why are you taking this fight?’
“I said, ‘bro, because I ain’t scared and I’m in the game to fight.’
“And he goes, ‘but why?’
“I said, ‘bro, why am I going to take advice from you when I spanked you twice?
“I said, ‘I almost ended your life bro, so why am I going to take advice from you?’ It doesn’t make sense.
“How long has it been since his last fight?
“He’s waiting, waiting, waiting.
“What are you waiting for? You have to fight.”
Itauma has been in blistering form, knocking out 10 of his first 12 professional opponents.
Chisora has given Whyte, who is unbeaten in three bouts, little chance of pulling off an upset.
“I messaged Moses and I said, ‘fight him, but don’t put him to sleep that badly,” he told talkSPORT.
“If that fight goes past four rounds, we’re in trouble.
“Let’s be honest, you’re boxing a guy who’s 20-years-old, who’s got all his faculties right, getting trained by one of the best trainers in the United Kingdom.
“You’ve got more chance of winning the lottery than you beating Moses Itauma.”
Chisora has not fought since securing a unanimous decision victory over Otto Wallin in February.
The 41-year-old is set to retire after one final outing, in what will be his 50th professional bout, but is yet to announce an opponent or date.
