Dillian Whyte proved his hard work in training by weighing in at 244.5 lbs for his 12-round fight against WBO’s #1 heavyweight contender Moses Itauma this Saturday, August 16, in Riyadh. This is his lightest weight in 10 years, since 2015.
Hard Work and Sacrifice
Trainer Andy Lee told DAZN Boxing that Dillian Whyte’s weight of 244 ½ lbs shows he sacrificed a lot and trained hard for his fight against Moses Itauma. Whyte came in 17 lbs lighter than the 261 lbs he weighed in his last fight against Ebenezer Tetteh in December. Lee said Whyte knew he couldn’t afford to show up heavy like he did in his previous four fights.
Underdog Approach
Lee praised the way Whyte prepared for this fight, keeping things low-key and accepting the underdog role. “I don’t buy into it. I think he’s really coming to fight,” Lee said. Whyte admitted he wasn’t in good shape for his last bout and barely trained, just taking the fight as it came. This time, he avoided trash talk against Itauma because failing to back it up would make him look bad, especially since he hasn’t impressed since his 2021 win over Alexander Povetkin.
Big Opportunity
According to Lee, Whyte doesn’t need extra motivation—the challenge itself is enough. A win against Itauma could put him back in line for a world title shot.
The Wounded Animal Mindset
If Whyte beats WBO #1 Itauma, he could take his ranking spot and earn a chance at Oleksandr Usyk. Commentator Ade Oladipo said Whyte is hungry for more than just this fight, while promoter Frank Warren compared him to a “wounded animal”—dangerous and ready to strike.
FAQ
How much did Dillian Whyte weigh in for the Itauma fight?
Dillian Whyte weighed in at 244 ½ lbs, which is 17 lbs lighter than his last fight.
Why is his weight cut important?
The weight cut shows Whyte’s sacrifice and commitment. He knows he couldn’t afford to come in heavy against Moses Itauma.
What is Whyte’s mindset going into the fight?
Whyte has embraced the underdog role, avoided trash talk, and focused on serious training, showing he is determined to win.
What could a win against Itauma mean for Whyte’s career?
If Whyte beats the WBO #1 contender Itauma, he could take his ranking spot and get back into contention for a world title shot.
