Whyte vs Rivas: Charlie Duffield faces Dan Azeez on the Dillian Whyte-Oscar Rivas bill at The O2
Duffield: "I've got to say a massive thank you to Dillian Whyte for helping me get this opportunity, he's been like a big brother to me."
By Peter Gilbert
Last Updated: 08/05/19 6:32pm
Charlie Duffield will take on fellow Londoner Dan Azeez for the Southern Area light-heavyweight title on the undercard of Dillian Whyte-Oscar Rivas, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Whyte will risk his No 1 status with the WBC when he faces undefeated Colombian Rivas in a heavyweight showdown at The O2 on July 20, after being made to wait for a fight with heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.
Canning Town's Duffield (7-1, 6 KOs) will now feature on the same bill as "big brother" Whyte when the big-hitting Mark Tibbs' trained fighter contests his first professional title as he looks to climb the domestic ladder at 175lbs.
"I'm really looking forward to this one," said Duffield. "It's a really big platform on Sky Sports Box Office and a great opportunity for me to showcase what I'm really about.
"It's going to be a cracking fight on July 20, I'm preparing for a war. Mark Tibbs has got the best out of me and he's pushed me to my limits - that's what I need in a trainer.
"I've got to say a massive thank you to Dillian Whyte for helping me get this opportunity, he's been like a big brother to me."
Lewisham's Azeez (8-0, 5 KOs) is promising to deliver a memorable performance in his first opportunity on the big stage.
"I'm happy to get my first title shot," said Azeez. "Charlie Duffield is a big opponent. He's very strong and he's a big puncher. He's won the majority of his fights by TKO so I know he's dangerous.
"My current trainer used to train Charlie as an amateur, so he'll know a lot about him. I'm expecting the best Charlie Duffield to turn up on July 20 so I've got to train hard and just keep on doing what I'm doing. I'm sure that will be enough to get my hand raised on the night."
Watch Dillian Whyte vs Oscar Rivas, David Allen vs David Price, Richard Riakporhe vs Chris Billam-Smith, live on Sky Sports Box Office at The O2 on July 20.
