Dillian Whyte painted a vivid picture of the excruciating pain he endured in the weeks leading up to his clash with Moses Itauma, describing the injury as almost surreal. He told reporters that the sensation in his foot was comparable to a heavy dumbbell being dropped onto it. The fracture, which occurred during a training session last summer, was the result of a misstep while sparring with quick, agile partners.
"I was moving, felt something give in my foot, and then during a sparring round I stepped back the wrong way and the bone just snapped cleanly," Whyte recounted. Despite the severity of the break, Whyte emphasized that professional fighters are accustomed to performing under less‑than‑ideal conditions. "We’re used to pulling off miracles and fighting through injuries," he said.
He added that he managed to make the best of the situation, maintaining a decent training camp and feeling confident as the fight week approached. "I felt good during fight week and really believed I could beat Moses," he affirmed. Whyte’s career has been punctuated by bouts fought while carrying serious injuries. The most notorious example was his showdown with long‑time rival Anthony Joshua, where he entered the ring with a severely compromised shoulder.
Over the years he has also overcome a host of other physical setbacks, eventually earning the status of two‑time WBC interim heavyweight champion. However, the fractured foot proved to be a stubborn obstacle.
While warming up in the dressing room just hours before his August encounter in Saudi Arabia, the injury re‑asserted itself. "I started jumping rope to get loose and the foot gave out again – it was a clean fracture once more," Whyte explained.
The team called the attending doctor, who advised against stepping into the ring. Whyte refused to accept the recommendation, stating, "There’s no way I’m travelling all the way to Saudi and pulling out at the last minute.
I was sure I could still drag Moses into the later rounds and stop him, much like Filip Hrgovic did recently." During the fight, Whyte attempted to hide the heavily strapped foot, but the lack of mobility was evident. Itauma seized the opportunity, unleashing a barrage of punches that forced the referee to stop the contest in the opening round.
After the bout, Whyte chose not to dwell on his injury, preferring to give credit to his opponent. "I didn’t want to talk about it and take away from his win. I got clocked and he won the fight," he said.
He added that the public’s reaction was often based on incomplete information, noting, "People have short memories and they love to say ‘retire because of this, retire because of that.’ What they don’t realise is we’re part of a rare generation of entertaining British heavyweights nearing the end of our careers." Whyte reaffirmed his love for the sport, stating, "I love boxing and I’ll fight anyone. Be grateful that you have guys like me around because when we’re gone there will be a long drought in the heavyweight division." The conversation shifted to a potential future clash with rising British contender Johnny Fisher. Fisher publicly called for Whyte’s return last week, suggesting there was a "good chance" the two could meet soon.
Whyte responded enthusiastically, watching from ringside as Fisher secured a majority‑decision win over Michael Pirotton at the Copper Box Arena. "Credit to Johnny Fisher – he’s a big lad, still learning but he’s got courage, heart, and a powerful punch.
He’s brave," Whyte remarked, indicating openness to a November or December showdown. Whyte described Fisher as slightly frantic but undeniably courageous, noting, "He keeps coming back when the fight gets tough. You can never overlook that. Honestly, I’ll knock Johnny Fisher out, simple as that." Manager Michael Ofo confirmed that the fight has already been discussed verbally and is close to being finalised.
"The fight was agreed in principle after Johnny’s win, with a handshake between me and his manager Adam Morallee," Ofo said. He added that he was initially unsure whether Fisher’s camp would accept the challenge, but after reaching out, the response was immediate: "Absolutely.
Let’s do it next!" Both parties see the bout as a major British heavyweight attraction that could energise London’s boxing scene. Ofo summed it up succinctly: "It would be a huge all‑British clash and a massive event for London. So, let’s stop talking and get it on!"