Dillian Whyte: “Browne keeps talking rubbish on social media”

IF their fight produces the same intensity as their social media exchanges, we should expect a shoot-out.

WBC mandatory heavyweight challenger Dillian Whyte (22-1, 16 KOs) and undefeated Australian Lucas Browne (25-0, 22 KOs) have been trading barbs for months in the hope of forcing an eventual fight. With their highly anticipated showdown only weeks away, the stakes have continued to raise as their March 24th date at the O2 Arena in London fast approaches.

The 29-year-old Whyte is enjoying his time in the spotlight following low key build-ups to his most recent fights against Robert Helenius and Malcolm Tann, despite the former being on the last Anthony Joshua bill at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in Wales.

“Matchroom has so many shows on Sky (Sky Sports), that they have to push them one-by-one, now it’s my turn for the push.” said Whyte in an interview with iFL TV. “The build-up has been good, the press conference was okay, (recording) ‘Gloves Are Off’ was good.”

“Browne keeps talking rubbish on social media. I need to tell him to stop talking rubbish, it’s building the fight so I can’t complain.”

Whyte is notorious for disliking his opponents, with his high-profile fights against Anthony Joshua and Derek Chisora gaining mainstream media attention for the bad blood offered by both combatants. When probed on the ill-feeling that he has for the 38-year-old Browne, Whyte explained the reasoning for his well publicised distain.

“I only have dislike for the guys that try to take liberties. Browne definitely tried to take liberties and has continued to do so, he’s been talking rubbish from years ago, it’s not just now. People have only just seen now, but look back at your social media and you’ll see Lucas Browne trolls everyone. If you watch his social media, you’ll see he speaks badly about people all the time.”

Given the all-action styles of both Whyte and Browne, most notable figures within the sport anticipate a can’t-miss thriller. Having said that, Whyte has signalled his intent to trade with Browne, providing he comes to fight.

“You know me, I’m always trying to get it,” he added. “It takes two to fight, I can’t make the fight by myself, it takes two. So the opponent needs to be there and needs to come to fight. If the opponent doesn’t come to fight, and wants to box, I’m going to have to box as well.”

“I’m like a steam train, the more heat goes in, the more coal that goes into the freight, the more I chug away.”

Photo: Getty Images