Dillian Whyte (28-3) returns to the ring this Saturday to face undefeated American, Jermaine Franklin (21-0).
Whyte hasn’t boxed since his sixth-round knockout loss to WBC champion Tyson Fury at Wembley Stadium in April. The ‘Body Snatcher’ will look to bounce back in the arena just next door to the stadium (OVO Arena, Wembley) that saw him pick up his third career defeat.
Whyte has been linked with a potential rematch with old rival and former world champion, Anthony Joshua but cannot afford to look past his latest opponent in Franklin. Whyte also fights for the first time under his new trainer, Buddy McGirt, so will be looking to demonstrate the changes that McGirt will have taught him.
The ‘Body Snatcher’ has a resume stacked with big names, he has faced big names like Anthony Joshua, Alexander Povetkin x2, Derek Chisora x2 and Joseph Parker. Whyte will be looking to carry this experience into his return fight and start his climb back up the rankings.
Franklin will be fighting outside of the US first time. This fight will be a step up for the American, as it will be the first time he is scheduled to fight over 12 rounds. Notable names on Franklin’s record are Pavel Sour, who he dropped twice on the way to a unanimous decision, and Jerry Forrest, who he edged past with a split decision.
The undercard features the much-anticipated heavyweight tear-up between undefeated prospect Fabio Wardley (14-0) and IBF European champion Nathan Gorman (19-1) for the vacant British heavyweight title. Both men are coming off the back of knockout victories, with Wardley stopping Chris Healey last time out in July, whilst Gorman brutally stopped Tomas Salek in one round in June.
Craig Richards (17-3-1) looks to bounce back from his loss to Joshua Buatsi as he faces the tough Ricards Bolotniks (19-6-1) for the WBA international light heavyweight title.
Sandy Ryan (4-1) also returns following her career-best victory over Erica Farias last time out. Ryan defends her WBC international super lightweight title for the first time as she steps up to challenge another former world champion, Anahi Sanchez (21-5).
Olympic silver medallist Pat McCormack (2-0) fights under the Matchroom banner for the first time as he looks to move to 3-0 when he faces Christian Nicolas Andino (16-5-2). Mark Dickinson (3-0) also makes his Matchroom debut, as the middleweight prospect takes on Gideon Onyenani (4-2).
Former Team GB Olympian Cheavon Clarke (3-0) looks to continue his destructive rise through the cruiserweight ranks as he takes on Jose Gregorio Ulrich (17-5) over eight rounds. Amateur standout George Liddard (0-0) makes his long-awaited professional debut as he squares off with Nikola Matic (18-50) over four. Finally, Irish heavyweight prospect Thomas Carty (3-0) returns as he looks to continue his knockout streak.
This stacked card headlined by Whyte’s return takes place this Saturday at the OVO Arena in Wembley and promises to be an action-packed night and it all can be watched live and exclusively on DAZN.