Dillian Whyte's former trainer says world title shot vs Tyson Fury is 'overdue'

We're just five days out from one of the biggest British boxing events of all time, with 94,000 spectators expected at Wembley on April 23.

In what is set to be the biggest domestic heavyweight bout since Lennox Lewis beat Frank Bruno in 1993, Whyte is now looking to upset the odds against current WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

Whyte has been forced to wait patiently for his shot at a world title, after becoming a mandatory challenger for Deontay Wilder as far back as 2018.

Now finally given his chance, and on the biggest stage of them all, Whyte's former trainer Mark Tibbs has backed his ex-fighter to perform on Saturday night.

"I had a good journey with Dillian and I really enjoyed it. We had a good time together.

"I am pleased for him that he has got his world title shot at last. It is well overdue and I was a little bit surprised he wasn't performing with the press conference but I was relieved on Wednesday when I realised he has been playing a game and now he was playing ball after that tweet.

"Knowing Dillian as I do and knowing his strength of mind and character, I really believe he will be the best Dillian Whyte on April 23. He will be tuned in, he will be focused mentally and nothing will faze him. It will fuel him mentally."

Tibbs first joined Whyte's camp after his loss to Anthony Joshua back in 2015, and the duo enjoyed a successful spell together which saw Whyte recover from the loss to put himself back in the picture for world titles.

However, Whyte suffered a bump on his road to a title last March after he suffered a shock defeat to experienced Russian fighter Alexander Povetkin.

By this point though, Tibbs and Whyte had split, and the 'Body snatcher' has since avenged his defeat, setting up this clash with Fury.

"Dillian felt they would meet at some point and I always thought it would make a great fight for the fans," Tibbs explained.

"He has always had Fury in mind, we have always spoke about Fury and he knows what he has got to do against Fury, but it is just doing it now.

"He knows he has to get up close and personal from the get-go, he can't mess about and that is where he could win the fight - getting up close and trying to get that left-hook off.

"So, he is always in for a chance early doors but he is the outsider and Tyson Fury is a superior boxer, there is no doubt about it but Dillian's got a puncher's chance."