Dillian Whyte is willing to go to Alabama to set up a clash with Deontay Wilder, Claressa Shields is hoping to provide some solid support on the Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury undercard and Dereck Chisora’s new trainer has a word of warning for Joseph Parker. Here are five boxing stories you might have missed this week...
Dillian Whyte Reiterates Desire To Fight Deontay Wilder
After gaining revenge over Alexander Povetkin last month, Dillian Whyte has turned his attention to former world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, and says he’d even be willing to go to the American’s own backyard in Alabama if he has to.
Whyte was repeatedly denied a title shot during Wilder's reign as WBC king, but he believes fighting across the pond could finally set up a massive showdown with ‘the Bronze Bomber.’
"I think the public demand for the Wilder fight is already there, to be honest," Whyte told Sky Sports.
"There's a lot of demand for it already. But fighting in America doesn't hurt and it does increase the profile and the interest, and a different fan base and following. It would be good to get a big fight in America in the summer.
"I'll fight Wilder in Alabama, if that's what is going to make him feel secure and safe enough to take the fight. If he wants, he can have the home judges, his hometown, whatever. I don't care. I'd even fight him in his own home, the kitchen, the garage, the garden, wherever. I just want to get hold of him and hurt him.”
Eubank Jr Puts On £10,000 Bet Canelo KOing BJS
Chris Eubank Jr is so confident that Billy Joe Saunders will be knocked out by Canelo next month that he’s bet £10,000 of his own money on it.
Eubank, who lost to Saunders in 2014 via split decision, says that he isn’t convinced his unbeaten former opponent has what it takes to topple the Mexican superstar and thinks that he could get hurt.
“I don’t think Saunders has what it takes. I have what it takes, I know the way to beat Canelo.
“I’m sure I will get my shot within the next couple of years. But it is a very bad fight for Saunders and, if it happens, he is going to get knocked out.”
“Saunders is going to get hurt,” he added. “I’m going to be putting a £10,000 bet on Canelo to knock Saunders out.
“That’s what I think is going to happen; I think Saunders is going to get knocked out.”
Jamel Herring Targets Oscar Valdez Unification
Jamel Herring put in an almost punch-perfect performance against Carl Frampton this weekend and the WBO super-featherweight champion will now turn his attention towards a mouth-watering unification showdown with Oscar Valdez.
Herring does have a mandatory against Shakur Stevenson but the former US Marine believes that a unification with WBC champion Valdez is the more lucrative option. Speaking to BoxingScene Herring said, “It’s (Stevenson) a big fight and I know it’ll pay well, of course, but the Valdez fight trumps that. It’ll pay more and then there’s more of a reward on the back end for my career. OK, say we fight Shakur and we beat Shakur, people are gonna look at it and they’re gonna find something to downplay it anyway – something. ‘Oh, he was young,’ or you know, something.
“Valdez, he was a featherweight champion who defended his title on multiple occasions, he beat the most dangerous guy in the division [Miguel Berchelt] and, you know, he’s the number one guy to many people that look at the junior lightweight division. So why not go for that?"
Claressa Shields Wants Savannah Marshall Unification On AJ v Fury Undercard
Claressa Shields, the first boxer male or female to become undisputed in two divisions in the four-belt era, says she wants to face Savannah Marshall as chief support to Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury.
Shields is unbeaten as a professional with her only defeat as an amateur coming at the hands of Hartlepool’s Marshall back in 2012, and a rematch between these two in the paid ranks is one of the best potential fights out there.
"I'm there. They are building Savannah up to make people think it. This fight is only considered because of how great I am.
"If I didn't have all these Olympic gold medals and accolades, nobody would care about a fight between me and Savannah.
"I bounced back from that loss [to Marshall in the amateurs] to win two Olympics then turn pro and be outstanding, that's why this fight would be huge.
"Is it going to be a back-and-forth brawl? No. I would be as dominant as I am against every other fighter. Probably more dominant because she speaks so much and I want to beat her up.
"Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are fighting twice and I would love for me and Savannah to be co-main event.”
Marshall defends her WBO middleweight belt on the undercard of Conor Benn’s clash with Samuel Vargas on Saturday night.
Dereck Chisora Will Bring The Heat Against Joseph Parker
Derek Chisora will bring unbearable “heat” from the opening round in his heavyweight showdown with former world champion Joseph Parker when they meet in May, says the British heavyweight's new trainer Buddy McGirt.
"I mean it's not going to be an easy task, but we've just got to keep the heat on him," McGirt told Sky Sports.
"It's not a secret. Keep the pressure and the heat on, and make him uncomfortable, every second of every round."
Asked if the New Zealander can handle these tactics, McGirt, who has also trained Arturo Gatti, Antonio Tarver, Paulie Malignaggi and Sergey Kovalev, said, "Personally no. If you try to stay on the outside with Parker, he'll eat your lunch box. He'll tear you up. But if you put that heat on him and make it hot in the kitchen, it's a different ball game."
