Notebook: Whyte to face Franklin in comeback from loss to Fury in title fight
Mauricio Lara back in action; new Showtime card announced; Agbeko outpoints Steen; Robeisy Ramirez foe set; TR makes notable signing; Quick hits; Show and tell
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Heavyweight contender Dillian Whyte will face Jermaine Franklin in a 12-rounder that will headline a DAZN card on Nov. 26 at the OVO Arena, Wembley in London, Matchroom Boxing announced on Friday.
Whyte (28-3, 19 KOs), 35, of England, will be fighting for the first time since a one-sided sixth-round knockout challenging heavyweight champion Tyson Fury on April 23 before a record crowd of 94,000 at Wembley Stadium in London.
“It’s great to be back doing what I love doing,” Whyte said. “I can’t wait to get into the ring and show the world that when push comes to shove I can get right back up and remind everyone why I was WBC No. 1 (contender) for over four years.
"As an undefeated heavyweight, Franklin is a dangerous guy but I'm going to teach him quite a few lessons. Most importantly, I'm going to teach him how to lose.”
Franklin (21-0, 14 KOs), 29, of Saginaw, Michigan, was viewed by some as the No. 1 American heavyweight prospect until a 2½-year layoff and shaky performances hurt his stock. The fight will be his first outside of the United States, mark a step up in competition and offer Franklin a chance for a breakout win.
“I’m super hyped to fight in the U.K.,” Franklin said. “They love boxing and I plan on making a statement when I beat Dillian. I want them to be loud and love my boxing style and have them embrace me as the people’s champ.
“Dillian is a warrior. He has heart and he’s been with the best. It’s time for him to step aside and let the ‘989 Assassin’ make him body No. 22 on my body count. The kind of fight I expect is a brawl. Dillian wants to prove he’s got something left in the tank. I want to show him I’m the future of boxing and for USA heavyweights. When I beat Dillian I want this victory to be followed with a title shot or a major fight to take me to the title
“I’m like (Evander) Holyfield. I’m a warrior. I’m from the hood. You have to take my heart and that will never happen in the ring. I have speed and power. I have no problem taking a punch to land my own. I am America’s next heavyweight champion.”
The card will also include Fabio Wardley (14-0, 13 KOs) and Nathan Gorman (19-1, 13 KOs) clashing for the vacant British heavyweight title; England’s Craig Richards (17-3-1, 10 KOs), a former light heavyweight title challenger, facing Latvia’s Ricards Bolotniks (19-6-1, 8 KOs); and England’s Sandy Ryan (4-1, 2 KOs) facing Mexico’s Magali Rodriguez (20-6-2, 9 KOs) in a women’s regional junior welterweight title bout.