Tyson Fury v Dillian Whyte: UK mega-fight secured for April

Frank Monkhouse
03 March 2022
03:00 min read

Tyson Fury makes his UK homecoming

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Fury will defend his WBC title against fellow Brit Whyte at Wembley in April. Betfair's Frankie Monkhouse brings you up to speed on the early betting...

"Boxing bettors are eager to make their predictions early, and they’ll find Fury as a 1.232/9 favourite in the fight winner market"

Tyson Fury has agreed to defend his WBC world heavyweight title against fellow Brit Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 23rd April. It's the bout Whyte has been pushing for, and he finally gets his wish, challenging for the world championship. Will the Londoner see his patience rewarded, or is this a reminder that you should be careful what you wish for?

Fury was more than happy to accept the challenge of Dillian after seeing countryman Anthony Joshua lose his belts to Oleksandr Usyk. AJ is expected to face Usyk in a pre-arranged rematch, leaving Fury short of credible opponents. Whyte fits the bill, and this match will play out before a huge audience at Wembley, with millions worldwide watching the clash live on television.

The first bell may still be several weeks away with the fighters now deep into their training camps, but punters can bet on the outcome now. Several markets are available, allowing fight fans to get in early and secure the value.

The best in Britain

Fury marks his UK homecoming following five bouts in the United States. The Gypsy King fought and beat Tom Schwarz, Otto Wallin and Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas during that run. Tyson last appeared in a UK ring when out-pointing Francesco Pianeta at Windsor Park, Belfast, in the summer of 2018. He hasn't boxed in England since stopping Sefer Seferi in Manchester earlier that year.

Speaking at a press conference to announce this contest, Fury labelled it a meeting of the best in Britain. The unbeaten world champion promised to give his opponent the biggest beating he has ever encountered, encouraging Whyte to train hard and ensure he arrives in the best possible shape for their fight.

The 33-year-old is unbeaten in 32 bouts, with all but one ending in victory. The spare on his record was a controversial draw against Wilder in their first fight, a night Fury appeared to dominate but was knocked down twice in the closing stages. We last saw the champion in action when completing the trilogy with Wilder courtesy of an 11th round knockout.

Patience is a virtue

Whyte gets his first crack at challenging for a world title despite being ranked as the number one contender for a few years now. The 34-year-old from Brixton in the capital carries a proud 28 wins against two defeats with 19 KOs. Both losses have come inside the distance, with Dillian stopped by Anthony Joshua in 2015 and Alexander Povetkin in 2020.

Since being taken out in five by Povetkin, we've seen Whyte fight only once, but it was to record a crucial revenge win. Whyte won the rematch inside four rounds in Gibraltar last March, which rates as the most valuable result of his career so far. It allowed Dillian to drive himself back into contention for major honours.

Winning this bout would change Whyte's life overnight. Inflicting a first career defeat on Fury would set him up with the winner of Usyk v Joshua II in a money-spinning unification bout. Many believed Fury v Joshua was the heavyweight decider, but it could be Whyte v Usyk.

Bettors respond to the fight news

Followers of British boxing celebrated when this clash was unveiled, delighted that Whyte would finally get the chance he had earned, while looking forward to the long-awaited return of the Gypsy King to the UK. What a night it promises to be with the national stadium a sell-out.

Boxing bettors are eager to make their predictions early, and they'll find Fury as a 1.232/9 favourite in the fight winner market. That will come as no major surprise to those planning on betting on the fight.

Whyte trades at 5.79/2 for an upset win while the draw is as big as 4039/1.

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