Just over four weeks remain before Tyson Fury defends his WBC world heavyweight title against mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium on April 23rd.
However, since the fight was officially announced, Whyte has been radio silent and didn't make an appearance at the announcement press conference, leaving it to Fury to solely build up anticipation.
Speaking on The DAZN Boxing Show about Whyte's absence, former WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew isn't surprised, but believes it's Whyte's legal team which were advising him to not appear at the press conference, not his promoter Eddie Hearn.
"It doesn’t surprise me, Ade, because he’s been advised not to and he’s following the advice he’s been given," Bellew said.
"The only thing that worries me is that the guys advising him are not boxing guys and that’s what worries me.
"This is not the advice of Eddie Hearn, make no mistake about this, it’s the advice of people who are in legal battles, not boxing battles, not boxing promoting battles, so these guys are new to this.
"This is why it’s hitting big stumbling blocks."
Bellew however does expect Whyte to attend fight week events and is hoping for an explosive build-up to April 23rd.
"All that matters is that he turns up fight week, he engages in fight week, which I’m pretty sure he will do because finally he’ll be contractually obligated to do that.
"He’ll be there, he’ll show up, I think this will explode in a big, big way on fight week, I really do.
"When you see them two come together in the first press conference, trust me, security will be doubled."