Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte press conference LIVE: Champion taunts challenger after no-show
The Britons will clash on 23 April at Wembley Stadium, where today’s press conference took place
WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury will defend his title against Dillian Whyte on 23 April, in an all-British clash at Wembley Stadium.
The London venue was also the setting for this afternoon’s press conference, the first in the build-up to the highly-anticipated bout. Fury has been incredibly vocal since the fight was confirmed – and even before that – taunting his fellow 33-year-old at every opportunity. Mandatory challenger and interim champion Whyte, in stark contrast, has been largely silent, leading Fury to label him a “coward” in the run-up to today’s press conference.
Fury gave his opponent a new nickname today, however, labelling him “Frillian White Knickers” as Whyte missed the event in order to focus on his training in Portugal, where the Londoner lives. Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum explained: “We won the purse bid, which was way higher than the next biggest bid, and [Whyte’s] not coming to the press conference because we wouldn’t give him a percentage of the upside [from pay-per-view sales], which you don’t get in a purse bid. He told us he won’t come to any of the press conferences except the last one.”
Re-live updates from the first Fury vs Whyte pre-fight press conference, below.
Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte press conference
Here’s a round-up of all the best bits from Tyson Fury at this afternoon’s press conference, which opponent Dillian Whyte skipped:
Tyson Fury says ‘fighting my own shadow would sell’ after Dillian Whyte’s no-show
Whyte stayed in Portugal to focus on his training while Fury faced the media ahead of the Britons’ WBC heavyweight title fight in April
Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte press conference
Warren pretends to get in between Fury and an imaginary Whyte.
Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte press conference
Fury jokes: “Shall we do the face-to-face? I’ll definitely win this staredown.”
Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte press conference
Fury on Whyte’s absence: “I think it messes up his legacy a little bit as well.
“In years to come they’ll see it was a really good fight, he didn’t have any involvement in any of the build-up, not in any of the photographs, there will be no old magazines to look at.
“I think it’s a shame not just for him but for his kids and family to look back on in time as well.”
Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte press conference
Fury: “If Dillian Whyte doesn’t want to be a part of this big event, that’s his problem.”
Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte press conference
Warren: “Everybody should be absolutely pulling for the Ukraine, standing up to the bully, standing up for democracy.
“Those four fighters [Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, Oleksandr Usyk and Vasiliy Lomachenko], everybody should be behind them. It’s magnificent what they’re doing.”
Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte press conference
Fury on the situation in Ukraine, and the Klitschko brothers fighting against the Russian invasion:
“Fantastic. I’ll be the first one to join up if England get involved, or America. My dad will as well, me and all the boys will be signing up to defend.
“If you’re from that country and living there, defend it. Love your woman and fight for your country, that’s what I say.”
Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte press conference
Warren: “I’m delighted. This is where the fight should be, London. It’s what British fans want.
“They drive me crazy, but he’s back. Come and see the man, he’s back in town.”
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