AFTER a proposed fight against Joe Joyce fell through, Dillian Whyte will return to the ring on June 7 as part of the Fabio Wardley-Justis Huni undercard.
The June 7 event at Portman Road, home of Ipswich Town FC, marks Whyte’s first fight of 2025. His last bout was in December 2024, when he secured a seventh-round victory against Ebenezer Tetteh, with the Ghanaian retiring from the contest.
Whyte, 37, was scheduled to face Joyce at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on April 5, an event that would have launched Queensberry Promotions’ new broadcasting deal with DAZN. However, Whyte withdrew a month before the fight due to a severe finger injury. Joyce faced replacement opponent Filip Hrgovic but lost on points over 10 rounds.
The June 7 event represents a role reversal for Whyte and Wardley. Previously, Wardley, who is managed by Whyte and Michael Ofoh, often featured on his manager’s undercards. Now, Whyte takes the supporting role on Wardley’s card, with his opponent yet to be announced.
At the press conference for the Wardley-Huni fight, which saw Justis Huni replace the original opponent Jarrell Miller due to Miller’s shoulder injury, Whyte elaborated on the injury that forced him out of the Joyce bout.
“I was getting ready for April 5 but had a gym accident and cut my finger to the bone, so I couldn’t make a fist. I still wanted to fight, though. I didn’t tell my team initially, but a sparring partner informed them. I went to hospital and got it stitched up.”
‘The Bodysnatcher’ is eager to support Wardley on his homecoming night on June 7.
“A lot of my fights, Fabio was there supporting me as chief support. Funny how life works—now I’m here supporting him for his big night. I’m really happy about it.”
Despite never winning a world title, Whyte, 31-3 (21 KOs), has faced some of the biggest names in modern boxing, including Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Joseph Parker, and Derek Chisora. The Jamaican-born Londoner is determined to compete against top contenders again.
“I want to fight the best guys I can get. Me and AJ will be a lifelong thing. There’s Parker, there’s Hrgovic, Wilder’s coming back. I just want to fight the best.”
Whyte joins a June 7 undercard which already features Sam Gilley vs Louis Greene, Pierce O’Leary vs Liam Dillon and Mike Perez vs Steven Ward.
