Thursday 30 July 2015 18:49, UK
Dillian Whyte has confirmed that Wladimir Klitschko's trainer is overseeing his career and will be in the heavyweight's corner on Saturday.
The Brixton man's former trainer Chris Okoh was seriously injured in a hit-and-run incident, forcing Whyte to search for a new mentor, and American Johnathon Banks will be issuing instructions for his fight against Irineu Beato Costa Junior in Hull, live on Sky Sports.
Banks is best known for his recent work with Klitschko, the current WBA, IBF and WBO champion, and passed on his advice to Whyte when he attended one of the Ukrainian's training camps.
"Yes, Dillian Whyte has been over sparring with Wladimir Klitschko and that is how I met him," said Banks, who learned his trade from the late Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward.
"There was a lot of things. I saw him making mistakes at, so I started working with him, started correcting them.
"Then later on the down the line, he called me and asked me if I could start working with him permanently. I have got no problem with that. He’s got a lot of heart, a lot of determination, and he always wants to work. So anybody like that, it’s always a pleasure for me to work with."
The partnership will be put to the test over the next few months as Whyte is due to fight once more in September 12, before an eagerly awaited grudge fight with Anthony Joshua at the end of the year.
"From the moment I started working with Johnathon, I knew he was the man, because for one, he’s the most experienced heavyweight trainer in the world at this moment," said Whyte, who features on the undercard for Luke Campbell's clash with Tommy Coyle.
"He’s helped Emanuel Steward train a lot of fighters over the years as well, so I knew it was the right move for me and the right time.
"I’m taking these fights serious. I know that there are still a lot of flaws in my game and I’m trying to correct them."
Banks, a heavyweight himself, last fought in December 2014, and believes Whyte has the potential to reach the very top of the sport.
He plans to take the unbeaten 27-year-old out to Detroit to sharpen his skills at the famous Kronk gym, which was established by Steward.
"I believe Dillian can be a world champion," he told Sky Sports. "I think he can get to the world championship level."
Watch Whyte in action on the packed undercard of Campbell's clash with Coyle, starting at 8pm on Sky Sports 1.
