Dillian Whyte facts for kids

Dillian Whyte, born on April 11, 1988, is a professional boxer from Jamaica and Britain. He also competed in kickboxing and mixed martial arts. Whyte held the World Boxing Council (WBC) interim heavyweight title twice. This means he was a top contender for the world championship. He also won several other heavyweight titles, including the British title.

Whyte was also a kickboxing champion. He held the BIKMA British super-heavyweight title and the European K1 title. He was ranked as the UK's number one in his weight class for five years.

Early Life and Boxing Beginnings

Dillian Whyte was born in Port Antonio, Jamaica. When he was 12, his family moved to the United Kingdom. He grew up in Brixton, London, and started training at Miguel's Boxing Gym. Whyte has shared that boxing helped him a lot in his early life. He said it "saved me and changed my life."

Kickboxing and MMA Career

Before boxing, Whyte was a professional kickboxer. He became a two-time British heavyweight champion. He also won the European K1 title. His kickboxing record was 20 wins and 1 loss.

After kickboxing, Whyte tried mixed martial arts (MMA). He made his professional MMA debut on December 6, 2008. He won his first fight by knockout in just 12 seconds!

Amateur Boxing Journey

In 2009, at age 20, Whyte had his first amateur boxing match. He famously beat Anthony Joshua by a unanimous decision. Whyte had a short amateur career with 6 wins and no losses, with 5 knockouts. He turned professional in 2011.

Professional Boxing Career

Dillian Whyte started his professional boxing career on May 13, 2011. He won his first fight by points. He continued to win his early fights, often by knockout or technical knockout.

Facing Challenges and Returning Strong

In 2012, Whyte won a fight against Sandor Balogh. However, he later faced a challenge when a drug test showed a banned substance. Whyte said he didn't know he took it. An investigation found it was from a contaminated supplement. He was suspended from boxing for two years.

Whyte returned to the ring on November 21, 2014. He quickly showed he was back in top form, winning several fights by knockout. He defeated fighters like Ante Verunica and Marcelo Nascimento.

Big Fights and Title Shots

On September 12, 2015, Whyte won the WBC International Silver heavyweight title by knocking out Brian Minto. This was a big step up for him.

Whyte vs. Joshua I

On December 12, 2015, Whyte had a highly anticipated rematch with Anthony Joshua. This time, they fought for the vacant British heavyweight title. It was a tough fight, with both boxers landing strong punches. Joshua eventually won by knockout in the seventh round.

Becoming British Champion

After his loss to Joshua, Whyte came back strong. He won against Ivica Bacurin and David Allen. On October 7, 2016, Whyte fought Ian Lewison for the vacant British heavyweight title. Whyte won the fight in the tenth round, becoming the British champion.

Whyte vs. Chisora I

Whyte then had a big fight against his rival, Derek Chisora, on December 10, 2016. It was a very close and exciting fight. Whyte won by a split decision, meaning two judges scored it for him, and one for Chisora.

Climbing the Ranks

Whyte continued to fight tough opponents to move closer to a world title shot. He defeated Malcolm Tann in August 2017.

Whyte vs. Helenius

On October 28, 2017, Whyte fought Robert Helenius and won by unanimous decision. This victory earned him the vacant WBC Silver heavyweight title.

Whyte vs. Browne

On March 24, 2018, Whyte faced undefeated Lucas Browne. Whyte delivered a powerful left hook in the sixth round, knocking Browne out. After this impressive win, Whyte called out WBC champion Deontay Wilder for a fight.

Whyte vs. Parker

Whyte's next big challenge was against former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker on July 28, 2018. It was an exciting fight where both boxers were knocked down. Whyte won by unanimous decision. This win helped him get closer to a world title opportunity.

Whyte vs. Chisora II

Whyte had a rematch with Derek Chisora on December 22, 2018. Whyte won by knockout in the eleventh round with a strong left hook.

First Time as WBC Interim Champion

Whyte vs. Rivas

On July 20, 2019, Whyte fought Óscar Rivas for the vacant WBC interim heavyweight title. The winner would become the mandatory challenger for the WBC world title. Whyte won the fight by unanimous decision. He was later cleared of any issues from a drug test before the fight.

Whyte vs. Wach

Whyte fought Mariusz Wach on December 7, 2019. Whyte won this tough 10-round fight by unanimous decision.

Whyte vs. Povetkin I

Whyte defended his WBC interim title against Alexander Povetkin on August 22, 2020. Whyte started strong, knocking Povetkin down twice in the fourth round. However, Povetkin landed a powerful uppercut in the fifth round, knocking Whyte out. Whyte lost his title and his chance to fight for the WBC world title.

Second Time as WBC Interim Champion

Whyte vs. Povetkin II

Whyte had an immediate rematch with Alexander Povetkin on March 27, 2021. Whyte believed he could win most of the time against Povetkin. This time, Whyte dominated the fight. He hurt Povetkin with several clean punches and knocked him down. Povetkin's corner stopped the fight in the fourth round, giving Whyte the technical knockout win. Whyte regained the WBC interim heavyweight title.

Whyte vs. Fury

On April 23, 2022, Dillian Whyte finally got his chance to fight for the WBC and The Ring heavyweight titles against Tyson Fury. The fight took place at Wembley Stadium in front of a record-breaking crowd of 94,000 fans. Whyte tried a different boxing style at the start. Fury controlled the fight and landed a strong uppercut in the sixth round, knocking Whyte down. The referee stopped the fight, and Fury won by technical knockout.

After the Title

After losing his title, Whyte continued his boxing career. He started working with a new trainer, Buddy McGirt, a famous boxing coach.

Whyte vs. Franklin

On November 26, 2022, Whyte returned to the ring against Jermaine Franklin. It was a close 12-round fight. Whyte won by majority decision, though some thought the fight was closer. Whyte said he would have retired if he had lost.

Cancelled Joshua Fight

Whyte was scheduled for a rematch against Anthony Joshua on August 12, 2023. However, the fight was cancelled because Whyte had a positive drug test from a random anti-doping check. Whyte stated he was innocent and that the test result was due to a contaminated supplement. An investigation later confirmed this, and Whyte was cleared to box again.

Whyte vs. Hammer

Whyte quickly announced his next fight against Christian Hammer on March 17, 2024, in Ireland. Whyte won when Hammer did not come out for the fourth round. Whyte was frustrated because he wanted more rounds.

Whyte vs. Tetteh

On December 15, 2024, Whyte fought Ebenezer Tetteh in Gibraltar. Whyte won the fight by stoppage in the seventh round. He expressed his desire to be more active in boxing.

Cancelled Joe Joyce Fight

Whyte was set to fight Joe Joyce on April 5, 2025. However, Whyte had to pull out of the fight due to an injury during training.

Whyte vs. Itauma

On August 16, 2025, Whyte is scheduled to headline a fight card in Saudi Arabia against rising British prospect Moses Itauma.

Personal Life

Dillian Whyte has three children. He has mentioned that his early boxing heroes included famous fighters like Jack Dempsey and Lennox Lewis.

Mixed martial arts record

Professional boxing record

Pay-Per-View Fights

Dillian Whyte has been part of several big pay-per-view boxing events. These are fights that fans pay extra to watch. Here's a look at some of them:

See also

In Spanish: Dillian Whyte para niños