Dillian Whyte was content with his performance against Tyson Fury, calling the WBC champion ‘one of the greatest fighters of all time.’
The 34-year-old went into the contest at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night as the interim champion of three years, who had finally been given a mandatory challenge.
However, despite keeping his counsel for most of the build-up as he prepared in the gym, he was on the back foot from the off and Fury sent him to the canvas with a decisive uppercut knockout in the sixth round, making it his second succesful title defence after his impressive display against Deontay Wilder last October in Las Vegas.
Whyte and Fury often scrapped up close and there was plenty for the referee to get invovled with, including a clash of heads. Whyte agreed it ws a difficult fight for them both, but believes for much of the bout he held his own.
“Yeah you know I think there was a lot [going on] in the fight,” Whyte said to the BBC.
“It was a close fight, obviously. I was just getting started to come in more and more, obviously, to press him, work the body and start moving forward, but, you know.
“My coaches gave me great advice…I was countering, I was trying to attack. I went left and right and thought maybe I can slip [the punch] and come back with a shot. But one slip and I got caught with a shot.”
Whyte might have been comprehensively beaten but he felt he was well matched for much of the match-up.
“You got to make a decision at a high level in there,” Whyte claimed.
“Quick decision. It is what it is. I didn’t feel like I was outclassed in there. He was just at another level – he’s one of the greatest fighters of all time.
“I wasn’t surprised. He’s a big, awkward guy… We were both on the edge. It was a close fight.
“I think he was surprised I came out southpaw. It was awkward for him. He landed some good shots. He’s a good fighter."