At 36-years-old, Dillian 'The Body Snatcher' Whyte may no longer be the youngest fighter in the ring, but he remains one of the toughest.
With a career marked by fierce battles, controversial setbacks, and personal triumphs, Whyte has established himself as a formidable force in heavyweight boxing.
As he prepares to face Ghanaian boxer Ebenezer Tetteh in Gibraltar on Sunday, live on DAZN, we reflect on his journey.
Who is Dillian Whyte?
Born in Port Antonio, Jamaica, on April 11, 1988, Dillian Whyte moved to the UK at a young age.
Growing up in Brixton, London, he faced a tough upbringing, which he credits for forging his fighting spirit.
Whyte's physicality and aggression made him a natural in combat sports, leading him to pursue a career in fighting that began with kickboxing and MMA.
Start as an MMA fighter
Before his boxing career, Whyte made waves in mixed martial arts.
He debuted in 2008, winning his first fight by knockout in just 12 seconds.
Though his MMA career was brief, with a 1-0 record, it showcased his raw power and hunger for competition.
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Amateur career
Whyte transitioned to amateur boxing in 2009, where he quickly made an impact. He defeated Anthony Joshua in 2009, marking the start of their long-standing rivalry.
However, Whyte’s amateur career was cut short due to disputes over eligibility, leading him to turn professional earlier than planned.
Fighting Anthony Joshua
The rivalry with Joshua came full circle in 2015 when the two met as professionals in a highly anticipated bout.
Whyte came out swinging, his signature aggression on full show, but Joshua ultimately won via a seventh-round TKO.
Despite the loss, Whyte’s grit and determination won him fans and cemented his reputation as a top-tier heavyweight.
The battle against Tyson Fury
Whyte faced Tyson Fury in April 2022 for the WBC Heavyweight title, a career-defining moment.
Fury's technical prowess proved too much, and Whyte was defeated via a sixth-round knockout.
Still, the bout reinforced Whyte’s status as a legitimate contender willing to face the best. One of the biggest talking points was the fight was Whyte's decision to fight from a southpaw stance in an attempt to throw Fury off his game.
Instead, Fury switched to southpaw as well. In the build-up to the fight Fury uttered the famous claim, "Even Tyson Fury versus his own shadow sells."
The fight certainly sold well - it took place in front of a record-breaking crowd of 94,000 fans, the largest crowd to ever watch a boxing match in Europe.
Drug issues
Whyte’s career has not been without controversy. In 2012, he received a two-year ban after testing positive for a banned substance, a result of unknowingly taking a supplement containing Methylhexanamine.
Later, in 2019, a doping violation caused a delay in his bout against Oscar Rivas. Whyte was ultimately cleared, but the incidents remain a blemish on his career.
What’s next for Whyte?
Despite the ups and downs, Whyte’s resilience and determination have made him a respected figure in boxing.
With a professional record of 30 wins (20 by KO) and only three losses, he remains a dangerous competitor.
As he faces Ebenezer Tetteh this weekend, fans eagerly anticipate another chapter in the remarkable career of Dillian ‘The Body Snatcher’ Whyte.
How to watch Dillian Whyte vs. Ebenezer Tetteh on DAZN
If you are not already a DAZN subscriber, then you can still watch Dillian Whyte's fight and nine other amazing bouts for free this weekend.
To do this, just buy the Oleksandr Usyk versus Tyson Fury 2 PPV with DAZN now to get access to a free seven-day free trial. Buying the PPV requires no subscription or future costs.
Fights this weekend in the free trial include:
- Antonio Vargas vs. Winston Guerrero
- Marquis Taylor vs. Ivan Pandzic
- George Liddard vs. Omar Nguale Ilunga
- Alexis Rocha vs. Raul Curiel
- Daniel Dietz vs. Granit Shala
- Murodjon Akhmadaliev vs. Ricardo Espinoza Franco
- Kevin Lele Sadjo vs. Sebastian Papeschi
- Fernando Vargas Jr vs. Matthew Terry
- Dillian Whyte vs. Ebenezer Tetteh
Buy Usyk vs. Fury 2 PPV on DAZN now.
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