The heavyweight division may have had a number of new stars in the post-Klitschko era, but its title situation has been anything but clear.
One victim of this befuddling time in the heavyweight division is Dillian Whyte, who was almost assured a title shot when 2019 started, but now won't be getting one for a while at the very least. Whyte, the top ranked heavyweight by the WBC, is now waiting on the sidelines as Deontay Wilder will face off against Dominic Breazeale on May 18.
To some people watching the WBC title situation unfold, they may find it hard to believe that Whyte was the higher-ranked fighter but Breazeale, who is currently not even ranked in the top three by the WBC, is considered the mandatory challenger. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman spoke with Sky Sports Boxing to talk about Whyte's situation and Sulaiman said he understands Whyte's plight and is looking at what is currently available for Whyte.
"Of course, I can understand and support him and I respect it. It's been a difficult process in the heavyweight division for the last four years. Many different scenarios have intervened in what is happening and what has happened, but as I said, we had a mediation meeting as per the rules, and we're going through that process. It's a very difficult, complex (process) that you have to analyze step-by-step on how it has happened, but I rather stay and take the high road and look what is going to happen and I feel very good about the heavyweight division," Sulaiman said.
'Of course, I understand Dillian Whyte's frustrations...'
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) March 24, 2019
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed he is discussing Dillian Whyte's WBC status and Luke Campbell will receive news in a fortnight about his WBC mandatory title fight: https://t.co/70EuxLeira pic.twitter.com/xhqerhtW80
Whyte figured to get a shot at unified champion Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in April, but when talks fell through, Whyte went the WBC route towards a title opportunity. When Wilder was in the midst of negotiating a rematch with Tyson Fury, Whyte was ordered to face Breazeale for the interim WBC title. But when the Wilder vs. Fury 2 talks also fell through, the WBC ordered Wilder vs. Breazeale instead, leaving Whyte without any opponent.
Currently, Whyte is exploring his options as far as his next fight and promotional future is concerned as he is a free agent. Whyte has won his last nine fights since getting knocked out by Joshua back in December 2012.
