Dillian Whyte keen to meet challenge of Antonio Tarver
Tuesday 5 July 2016 11:25, UK
Dillian Whyte has warned veteran former world light-heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver that he could "smash him to pieces."
America's 'Magic Man' Tarver (31-6-1-KO22) recently called for a clash with Whyte (17-1-KO14), despite being 19 years the Londoner's senior at 47.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Whyte responded: "If he wants it, call Eddie Hearn. I'd love to fight these guys.
I believe that in every fighter's career on the road to be great and a world champion, you have to fight at least one legend from the era before you and Tarver was a great champion. So for me to get his name on my record would be excellent.
"I think he thinks Dillian Whyte is a bit inexperienced and he can get in there and 'old man' me out of the fight but listen: I'll smash him to pieces.
"The world title fights are there but I'm focused on myself. I'm about three or four fights away. This year is about me rehabilitating myself and working on my conditioning. It's improving. Next year, I definitely want a world title fight - 100 per cent."
Whyte has struggled to find viable opposition since taking Anthony Joshua to the seventh round of a titanic British heavyweight title clash in December 2015 and is currently awaiting confirmation of his opponent for Josh Warrington's undercard in Leeds on July 30.
He added: "I've seen Josh Warrington's fights and the fans are so emotional. It's like in Glasgow and Belfast. I fought in Belfast and it was amazing and I think the fight in Leeds will be amazing as well.
"I'm in a difficult spot. I can punch and fight. My conditioning is improving thanks to a few guys who've been working me hard. Guys are thinking that there's no world title on the line so why take the fight?
"The problem with heavyweights nowadays is that nobody wants to fight anybody. Everybody's holding on to their '0' and everybody's scared to lose. They know Dillian Whyte is dangerous so they go and fight a guy with 20 losses on his record."
Whyte, who recently hired Mark Tibbs as trainer, was last seen on June 25 when he stopped late replacement Ivica Bacurin in six rounds at The O2.
Tarver, who famously beat Roy Jones Jr twice and has held WBA 'Super', WBC and IBF world titles, has fought just twice since November 2013, most recently battling to a split draw with Steve Cunningham in August 2015.
