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Promoter Frank Warren has questioned whether Dillian Whyte 28-2 (19) is “badly advised or plain stupid” ahead of his challenge to WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury 31-0-1 (22).
The British duo will clash at London’s Wembley Stadium on April 23.
Whyte, 34, refused to participate in the initial press conference to announce the fight, drawing the ire of Warren who co-promotes the 33-year-old Fury alongside Bob Arum.
“They had a smoking gun so that smoking gun has been fired, we’ve sold the tickets, that has really backfired in a big way and it’s a shame because we wanted them to be there [at the press conference],” Warren said on Fight Night.
“We wanted to see Dillian Whyte, irrespective of being total unprofessional in the way he’s behaving to help promote this fight.
“The fact is it will be a good fight, he’s a good challenge for Tyson and I’m sure it’s a big moment for him all this time after he’s been waiting and by the way it’s not my fault he’s been waiting.
“He’s been with Matchroom, they had the world champion for god knows how long so don’t hold us accountable for all the problems that he’s experienced.
“This is a guy who’s been bleating, saying he’s been there in the position for 1200 days whatever it is and he’s got a problem with the WBC which is not my problem, and that’s between them and for them to resolve.
“In the meantime he participated in the purse bid where the percentages were agreed and the bids went in based upon that so everyone knew what they were getting into and afterwards to try and renegotiate after a purse bid, I’ve never heard anything like it.
“It’s so ridiculous what they’ve done, him and his team, he’s badly advised and if he’s making the final decision then he’s plain stupid.
“It’s become, and what I always felt it would be, is the Tyson Fury homecoming show and that’s how it turned out to be.
“Here’s a guy who’s larger than life, he’s the lineal champion, the best heavyweight of his generation and he held the room and as a result of all what he’d done to promote the fight we’ve done 85,000 tickets in three hours and at one stage Ticketmaster had 171,000 people in their virtual queue.
“Well it’s common sense isn’t it? Why would I put a record purse bid in that the challenger being Whyte gets paid just under $8 million and has possible upside of $4 million if he wins and then he shouldn’t show up to do anything and then you put a Tweet out saying ‘why should he do it to help other people coin money in?’ How is that professional?
“I genuinely believe that Dillian Whyte has cut his nose off to spite his face.
“He should’ve been there and there was a platform there for him to create an opportunity in order to not only build him but to create narratives that we will use to build up to that particular fight.”
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