Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Ben Davies

Dillian Whyte explains why he fought southpaw in first round against Tyson Fury

Dillian Whyte opted for a southpaw stance in the opening round against Tyson Fury in an attempt to prove he could box as well as fight.

The 'Body Snatcher' began the fight in the southpaw stance before switching to orthodox in a bid to stamp his authority on the early stages of the title clash. However the champion dominated the fight throughout and comprehensively outboxed Whyte before landing a huge uppercut to end the fight in the sixth period.

Whyte has admitted Fury's style revolves around taking the initiative in the exchanges, which he tried desperately to seize by switching stances. "He had a game plan and I had a game plan but obviously I was way better than what they fought I was," Whyte told Sky Sports. "I can box as well as fight, a lot of people can accept that and obviously that was a bit of a messer for him as he was looking to do.

"So I did it before him and he turned southpaw the other rounds and I turned orthodox the other rounds. That is how it goes, his boxing there is a lot of things that go on. Sometimes it is all about who initiates first, who does something first and who is thinking something before the other guy. That is what it is about you know."

Whyte's tactical changes proved no match for Fury who was able to impose his vastly superior style from the offset, which was reflected on the judges scorecards'. Fury was then able to pounce on an opportunity to close the show and end Whyte's title challenge.

The fight turned scrappy on multiple occasions due to the clash of stances, with Fury accusing his rival of "cheating" throughout the contest. Whyte has insisted that he was wrongly blamed for incidents throughout the fight, and has alleged Fury caused his cut.

What did you make of Dillian Whyte's performance against Tyson Fury? Let us know your verdict in the comments section below

Dillian Whyte started the fight in southpaw stance against Tyson Fury (Action Images via Reuters)

" Tyson Fury was dirty with the head, he kept leaning down and put the head in and stuff like that," Whyte told Sky Sports when reflecting on the incidents. "He leans down and obviously he clashed heads with me and I got the cut.

"I kept on getting all the blame for everything and he was the one that was holding and head-butting and being dirty in the fight. So what am I going to do just stay there and let him do it? I am no-one's punchbag, I am not going to just stay there and let anyone do what they want to me, I have never done that before."

Whyte has now called out Fury to a rematch after claiming that the stoppage was illegal, but footage has since dispelled Whyte's claim with his head seemingly making limited contact with the canvas. Fury's promoter Frank Warren has since bullishly dismissed any hopes of a sequel while offering Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce as alternative opponents.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.