Just days after being blasted out in 119 seconds by Moses Itauma, Dillian Whyte has spoken up: he’s not retiring. At 37, after years in the trenches with the heavyweight elite, he insists there’s more left in the tank. But is this Dillian Whyte comeback really about courage — or denial?
A Brutal Night Against Itauma
There’s no way around it. The loss to Itauma was devastating, and it wasn’t the first time Whyte’s chin has been found wanting. This wasn’t just another defeat — it was one of those moments that forces everyone watching to ask the tough question: is it over?
We’ve already looked in detail at Whyte’s immediate future after that KO, but his own words change the picture slightly. By rejecting the idea of retirement outright, Whyte is inviting scrutiny on what comes next.
The Nearly Man of Heavyweight Boxing
I like Whyte. Always have. He’s a good fighter, entertaining to watch, and a tough night’s work for anyone. But the truth is he’s always been a nearly man. Every time he’s stepped up — whether against Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, or Alexander Povetkin — the same story unfolds. Close, but not quite.
It reminds me of what we said in our piece on boxing’s “nearly men”. Fighters with talent, grit, and personality, but for whatever reason never making that final leap. Whyte fits that mould perfectly, and that’s what makes his comeback talk so divisive.
Skills and Shortcomings
On paper, Whyte has all the tools: a sharp jab, solid counter-punching, real power. He can hurt any heavyweight in the world. Yet, too often, he looks out of gas halfway through a fight.
Is it poor conditioning? Bad camps? A lack of discipline with the diet? Nobody outside his circle truly knows. But the results are clear. When he reaches the very top level, something breaks down. And at 37, it’s hard to believe those issues are suddenly going to disappear.
The Chisora Comparison
The danger for Whyte is simple: he risks drifting into Derek Chisora territory. Hanging around, taking too many punches, and letting the sport retire you instead of choosing to go out on your own terms.
And that would be a shame. Because for all his flaws, Whyte has been a top contender in one of boxing’s most exciting heavyweight eras. His rivalry with Joshua sold out arenas, his knockout of Lucas Browne was brutal, and even his losses came in big, high-stakes fights. He deserves more than to fade into the background as an “opponent” for the next generation.
What’s Left for a Dillian Whyte Comeback?
If Whyte is determined to fight on, the matchmaking has to be smart. No more young lions like Itauma — they’re too fresh, too hungry, too dangerous. Instead, fringe contenders or fellow veterans might make sense. Fights with names like Kubrat Pulev, Carlos Takam, or even a third dance with Chisora could sell without putting him in with someone destined to steamroll him.
But it all circles back to the same question: what’s the point? At 37, having already headlined pay-per-views and fought for a world title, does Whyte really have the time or consistency to mount one more charge at the top?
Should He Stay or Should He Go?
As much as I admire Whyte’s heart, the smartest move would be to retire gracefully. He’s given the sport plenty. He doesn’t need to prove himself any more.
But boxing is full of comebacks. And maybe, just maybe, he’ll roll the dice one more time. If he does, it’ll be fascinating to see whether it’s redemption… or simply one fight too far.
What do you think? Is this Dillian Whyte comeback brave or reckless? Let me know in the comments — and don’t forget to share this piece with your boxing mates. For more takes like this, check out the full site at CMBoxing.