‘Unprofessional’ – Ring great Hatton critical of Dillian Whyte’s lack of promotional help for Tyson Fury clash

British ring legend Ricky Hatton has described Brixton heavyweight Dillian Whyte as “unprofessional” for failing to promote his Wembley clash with Tyson Fury.

Whyte challenges WBC world champion Fury at the national stadium on April 23.

The South Londoner’s camp have made clear that they have had a number of issues including a lack of adequate tickets for family and friends.

Whyte did not attend a press conference at Wembley with the suggestion being he had been asked to fly economy class from his training base in Portugal.

Queensberry Promotions, co-promoting with Top Rank, won the purse bid to stage the contest and Whyte is due to be paid £6million with a further 10 per cent going to the winner of the bout. Whyte’s lawyer recently demanded that money be paid into an escrow account, which was not thought to be part of the legal agreement when the fight was confirmed.

Hatton, a pal of Fury, told talkSPORT: “I have a lot of admiration for Dillian Whyte, how he’s kept focused and had to go on the backburner while Joshua and Tyson got all the headlines. But now he has got an opportunity. But he’s played a few silly games himself, not just Tyson, in not turning up for the press conference and stuff like that which is a little bit disrespectful.

“You want paying money but if you don’t want to publicise a fight then you’re not going to get bums on seats, are you? He has been a little bit unprofessional in that area.

“He’s let himself down a little bit. He’s had a little moan here and there. He was waiting for his opportunity, it seems to have taken forever – but now he’s here you would think he’d be jumping through hoops. I’m led to believe he wasn’t happy with the purse he was given, which I believe is the biggest purse of his career by an absolute mile. And then not turning up at press conferences to promote this fight – he’s wanted it for as long as he remembers.

“I hope he’s not listening to this, but he’s spat his dummy out a little bit.

“It’s a great fight and a great clash of styles. Tyson has been involved in some absolute belters lately. It’s not nice seeing your mate put on his backside every fight but it is entertaining, I will give him that.

“I think Dillian has to go for the knockout. He’s not going to outbox or outspeed Tyson Fury. Tyson, for a giant, is so versatile. He’s got to try and go for the knockout and get that big one in, I can’t see him winning on points. Tyson has been on his backside a few times, so Dillian will know he is capable of landing that shot.

“It’s all about what Tyson Fury turns up. Tyson lately has been fighting like a six-foot 10 Rocky Marciano – he wants to go to war and in the trenches with everybody. I think you’ll see the old Tyson Fury – distance and try and break Dillian down a little bit, let the storm blow itself out a bit and then come on in the latter rounds.”