Dillian Whyte’s Brixton prodigies fighting on his undercard – who he insists have to try and knock him out in sparring
DILLIAN WHYTE is managing and mentoring a handful of prospects for free - as long as they keep trying to knock out him out.
The Brixton ace is officially guiding the careers of fellow heavyweight Fabio Wardley and cruiserweight newcomer Richard Riakporhe, who both fight on his undercard on Saturday.
And the 31-year-old also helps a close-knit group of South London fighters that includes John Harding Jr, Craig Richards and Duane Sinclair.
The Body Snatcher could grab himself a tidy extra income from advising the inexperienced team, but he’s much more concerned with having them trying to chin him in training.
Ahead of his WBC interim title fight with dangerous Colombian Oscar Rivas, Whyte said: "These guys are only just starting and coming up, so I don’t take any money off of them. I just let them crack on and hopefully build and grow.
"I don’t do it for the money. There are easier ways to guarantee yourself a profit.
"I just believe in them and try to give them a platform and hope they succeed.
These guys are only just starting and coming up, so I don’t take any money off of them. I just let them crack on and hopefully build and grow
Dillian Whyte
"I look for certain qualities in people and these guys have been through multiple training camps with me and have proven themselves time-and-time-again.
"They get in the ring with me and try to beat me up.
"Fabio and Richard don’t look at me and see a friend or manager, they get in the ring and try to beat me up. They try to kick the s*** out of me."
PAD MAN
Whyte cares deeply for his friends and finds it more painful watching them risk their health than going to war himself, in thrilling battles against the likes of Anthony Joshua and Dereck Chisora.
And the emotionally charged 25-1 contender reckons his hot head in the ring will make him a better mind out of it.
He said: "I find it very tough to watch the guys I care about. When I am in there I don’t care about myself. But when these guys fight it gets to me.
"I am actually a pretty good corner and pad man, I am probably better at them than I am fighting.
"I have a great eye for seeing stuff and delivering the information but sometimes, when I am in there fighting, my rage clouds that ability. But I am what I am.”
What Whyte is, is the No1 ranked fighter with the WBC and WBO but he has been repeatedly overlooked for a title shot by the sanctioning bodies.
Deontay Wilder prefers flooring second-rate fighters from his own PBC stable.
While undisputed cruiserweight king Oleksandr Usyk has just been made mandatory challenger for the WBO belt around Andy Ruiz Jr’s generous waist, after stepping up a division.
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That leaves straight-talking Whyte in a frustrating grey area, even though he has been told a win this weekend will guarantee him a mandatory shot with the WBC, but he won’t be changing or jumping through hoops to get what he deserves.
He said: "I don’t really care what people think about me. You can save a million kids or dolphins, rescue homeless dogs and have multiple charities but people have short memories and some will always think you are just an a***hole.
"You just have to do the best you can do for yourself and the people around you."
TEAM WHYTE
Fabio Wardley, 24-year-old heavyweight - Ipswich - 7-0. Whyte said: “Fabio is good but I don’t like the hands-down stuff. I told him that if he does all that against lesser fighters they will nickname him the Fabio ‘The Pudding Snatcher’ Wardley.
Richard Riakporhe, 29-year-old cruiserweight - Walworth - 9-0. Whyte said: “Richard has real power and when fear kicks in he punches even harder. I hope he fights Lawrence Okolie by the end of the year
Craig ‘Spider’ Richards, 29-year-old light-heavyweight - Crystal Palace - 15-1. Whyte said: “I gave Spider some advice before his last fight with Jake Ball, he listened and won. Spider is a friend of mine.”
Duane Sinclair, 36-year-old light-heavyweight - Croydon - 10-1. Whyte said: “I help guys like Duane because I know he would do the same for me. He’s loyal like they all are.”
John Harding Jr, 34-year-old middleweight - Brixton - 7-0-1. Whyte said: “It’s tough for me to watch John Harding box because I know how good he is but he is still new and will improve.”