Frank Warren has labeled Dillian Whyte’s decision not to attend Tuesday’s press conference ahead of his huge all-British WBC heavyweight title clash with Tyson Fury in April as “disgraceful”.
Whyte opted to remain at his training camp in Portugal while Fury and Warren opened the round of pre-fight pressers at Wembley.
World champion Fury took the opportunity to frequently criticise his upcoming opponent, conducting a face-off with an image of Whyte on a poster promoting the event.
After months of drawn-out negotiations, Fury’s co-promoter Warren won the purse bid in January with an offer of $41 million, beating Whyte’s promoter Eddie Hearn who was the only other bidder.
Fury is now set to receive 80% of the purse and Whyte the remaining 20%.
"We ticked all the boxes and he signed the contract -- at the last minute -- and now he’s trying to renegotiate," Warren said.
"He’s getting eight times more than Tyson got when he fought (Wladimir) Klitschko. Dillian Whyte is in Portugal, it’s disgraceful. He should be here - this is madness!"
"I thought he would have come here to be a part of big-time boxing," Fury added. "He’s never been involved in a fight of this magnitude, and likely won’t be ever again.
"For him to not be here and be a part of this, it messes up his legacy."
The fight will take place at London’s Wembley Stadium on April 23.
