Redesigning Dillian Whyte

The heavyweight contender sits down with David Wainwright and explains why he had to change

DILLIAN WHYTE is new and improved, we’re told. The bad-tempered loss to Anthony Joshua three years ago triggered the transformation, he says. Subsequent big-time showings against Dereck Chisora and Robert Helenius exhibited some improvement – indeed, WBC champion Deontay Wilder didn’t seem keen to take on the Londoner – but also, if we’re honest, highlighted plenty of the old flaws remained. His most recent effort, however, showed the faith he’s always had in himself is justified, that the hard work he’s been putting in behind the scenes is really bearing fruit. That March shellacking of previously unbeaten Lucas Browne, which left the Aussie out cold, confirmed Whyte is, at the very least, a top contender in a burgeoning heavyweight division.

This weekend, when he takes on former WBO champion Joseph Parker at the O2, Whyte can go higher than ever before. Victory over his most accomplished rival (Joshua withstanding) could see a rematch with “AJ” become more than just an excuse to rehash an old grudge for the sake of another pay-per-view, it could become – if Whyte looks as impressive as he promises to – a necessity.

Today, as Boxing News catches up with Whyte at his Loughborough training base, the glorious sun beats down on the heart of Midlands and enriches the golden outlook. This university town – where he is putting plans in place to teach kids to box for as little as £1-a-class – has been his on-and-off home for the past two years, and where, Monday to Friday, he moves away from his family and dedicates himself to ruling the boxing world.

A lot has changed for you since the Joshua loss. Why Loughborough?