Dillian Whyte will face undefeated American Jermaine Franklin in his highly anticipated return to the ring on Saturday, November 26 at OVO Arena, Wembley, live worldwide on DAZN.
‘The Body Snatcher’ (28-3, 19 KOs) failed Tyson Fury’s WBC world heavyweight title challenge at Wembley Stadium in April, suffering a sixth round defeat in front of more than 90,000 fans tomb.
Former WBC interim heavyweight champion, 35 years old, hugely successful Brixton, is set to fight at OVO Arena, Wembley for the first time in his career as he wants to start his journey towards the first time in his career. second world title.
Franklin of Michigan (21-0, 14 KOs) is undefeated in 21 games since joining the pro ranks in April 2015 and the 28-year-old will fight outside the US for the first time in his career. his professional when he met Whyte. 12 rounds in London.
Once described as America’s next heavyweight hope, Franklin ended a two-and-a-half year break by stopping Houston’s Rodney Moore for five innings at McBride Hall in Gary, Indiana in September. 5 to extend his perfect record.
An action-packed card that shows Ipswich’s heavyweight Fabio Wardley (14-0, 13 KOs) ramping up to clash with Nantthat’s Nathan Gorman (19-1, 13 KOs) for the vacant British Title, challenger Former WBA world light-heavyweight belt Craig Richards (17-3-1, 10 KOs) takes on Latvian fighter Ricards Bolotniks (19-6-1, 8 KOs) in an exciting division bout weighing 175 lbs and Sandy Ryan (4-1, 2 KOs) of Derby challenged Magali Rodriguez of Mexico (20-6-2, 9 KOs) for her Silver WBC Super Light Title.
Wardley, 27, stopped Simon Vallily for three rounds of their hotly anticipated grudge match to claim the vacant British Title at Fight Camp in August 2020 before beating Nick Webb in a round to hold the title a year later at Matchroom’s Headquarters in Essex.
Gorman, whose only loss was at the hands of Daniel Dubois in July 2019, shed 15 months of patience in his final match in June, knocking out Tomas Salek in just 81 seconds to claim the League Title. continental IBF at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.
Crystal Palace’s Richards put on a spirited display as he pushed WBA Champion Dmitry Bivol forward in his first World Championship attempt in May 2021. ‘Spider-Man’ was got back on the winning track by stopping Marek Matyja impressively for six innings before being overtaken by South London rivals Joshua Buatsi at The O2 earlier this year.
Bolotniks, who won against Steven Ward and Hosea Burton, will be familiar to UK fighting fans after his brave battle with Olympic bronze medalist Buatsi at Fight Camp for the second time. of Matchroom last summer – where he was finally stopped in the eleventh round of their WBA International Title Conflict.
Former Team GB star Ryan won his second professional title after exact revenge on Erica Anabella Farias – the only woman to beat her – at Sheffield Arena in August to claim the National Super Light Title. WBC economy is vacant.
“It’s great to be back, doing what I love,” Whyte said. “I can’t wait to get into the ring and show the world that when things get tough, I can go right back to Wembley and remind everyone why I’ve been WBC number one for over four years.
“As an undefeated heavyweight, Franklin is dangerous but I will teach him a few lessons at OVO on November 26. Most importantly, I will teach him how to lose.”
Franklin said: “I am very excited to fight in Great Britain. “They love boxing and I plan to make a statement when I beat Dillian. I wanted them to be loud and love my boxing style and for them to embrace me as everyone’s champion. The world will see Jermaine Franklin Jr.
“Dillian is a warrior. He’s got his heart and he’s been with the best. It’s about time he stepped aside and let ‘Killer 989’ rank him at number 22 on my body list. The kind of fight I expected was a brawl. Dillian wants to prove that he has something left in the tank. I wanted to show him I was the future of boxing and of American heavyweight.
“When I beat Dillian, I want after this win a title or an important game to take me to the title. I’m like Holyfield. I am a warrior. I come from the hood. You have to take my heart and that will never happen in the ring. I have speed and strength. I have no problem making a punch to land on my own. I’m America’s next heavyweight champion.”
Wardley said: “I’m so excited to fight for the British Title, I’ve had my eye on this belt for a long time and I can’t wait to get my hands on it. “Nathan Gorman is a great fighter, but nothing can stop me from marking the next milestone in my career. I thrive under the pressure of big fights like this, I live for it, there’s no better feeling than standing in front of him with my arm. I take my chances when they come, I won’t need any second chances like he did.
“I have never trained harder, I have never been healthier, just like the stars have arranged for this camp and everything is coming together perfectly. I’ve made leaps and bounds with new additions to my coaching staff, and I’m improving technically every day. That combined with my natural athleticism and serious KO prowess, there’s nothing Nathan can bring to stop me.
“This is my second chance to fight for the British Title, so I have to take it with both hands and this time it’s not going anywhere but coming home to me,” Gorman said. “It was against Fabio Wardley, and I knew I was going to be up against the best Wardley ever to step into that ring. Unfortunately for him, that will run into the best Nathan Gorman, who is improving every second he spends in that gym.
“What I have that he doesn’t have is experience. I was there with more difficult questions that I went through and answered, while I was his acid test. It would be interesting if he lasted longer than the 5th or 6th round, he got his eye slashed and things didn’t go his way. He won’t be able to match what I bring.”
Matchroom Sport President Eddie Hearn said: “I am delighted to welcome one of the biggest stars of heavyweight boxing Dillian Whyte to the DAZN platform. “The Body Snatcher is hungry more than ever after failing his first World Title challenge earlier this year and he is rushing back at the deep end against a young and dangerous boxer. Dangerous Jermaine Franklin. Expect Maximum Violence in the UK vs USA main event.
“We have an incredible opportunity in store for you at OVO Arena, Wembley on November 26, including the vacant British Heavyweight Title clash between Fabio Wardley and Nathan Gorman, a match. excellent at 175 lbs between former World Title challenger Craig Richards and Ricards Bolotniks and Sandy Ryan will take another title against tough Magali Rodriguez of Mexico. Catch them all live worldwide on DAZN.”
“Nathan has made a fantastic comeback this year after an 18-month break, with quickly winning the IBF Title proof of that,” Wasserman Global Head of Boxing Kalle Sauerland said. know.
“Of course, the British heavyweight title is one of the most respected titles in boxing and will take him even further in the world arena. We are very confident that Nathan will get the job done by November 26 and set up a BIG EVENT in 2023.”
Joseph Markowski, CEO of DAZN North America, said: “We are extremely excited to welcome Dillian Whyte, one of the biggest names in heavyweight boxing, to the platform on November 26th. “Jermaine Franklin will be a tough test for Dillian with a stacked card top fight full of action-packed matches including Wardley vs. Gorman, Richards vs. Bolotniks and of course a star future in Sandy Ryan. Don’t miss this fight! Direct and exclusive and part of your DAZN subscription worldwide.”
Ticket details will be released shortly.
