Dillian Whyte to face ex-WBO world champion Joseph Parker at Greenwich’s 02 Arena

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Dillian Whyte will look to boost his hopes of a world title shot after signing to face former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker on July 28.

Brixton’s Whyte is chasing a shot at WBC king Deontay Wilder and is ranked number one by that governing body.

But if he deals impressively with Parker then it could open up a rematch with Anthony Joshua, who bit the Kiwi puncher earlier this year in a unification clash.

Whyte, 30, said: “He’s a good fighter but he didn’t show much courage against Joshua. 

“I want him to be more adventurous and not go on the run, but he knows that if he has a fight against me, he’s getting knocked out clean and in a brutal way. 

“I like challenges and I rise to them, this is a big fight. There’s a massive incentive for me to wipe him out and show the world that I am ready to be the top man in the division – I want a world title and I know I can beat Deontay Wilder and Joshua.”

Whyte, whose sole blemish in a 24-fight career was a knockout defeat to Joshua in December 2015, posted the most impressive victory of his career at the same venue in March when he clinically took apart Australian Lucas Browne in Greenwich.

The South Londoner said: “Beating Parker should almost guarantee me a world title shot but let’s see. He’s going to be very desperate, I’m expecting the best Joseph Parker because he can’t afford to have back-to-back defeats, but that’s exactly what he’s going to get, and it’s going to be another massive KO win for me at The O2.”

Parker, who lost on points to Joshua, said: “We’ve both been in with AJ. One of us ended the fight on our feet, the other didn’t. That pretty much speaks for itself.”