On Saturday night, we witnessed something many thought impossible. Dillian Whyte — the veteran, the “Body Snatcher”, the man who’s stood in with the very best — was blown away in just 119 seconds by 20-year-old heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma.
I’ll be the first to hold my hands up. In the preview for this fight, I argued Whyte still had a role to play at the top end of the division, maybe even an AJ rematch. But the way Itauma sent him crashing backwards from the very first shot — and the fact Whyte could barely stand when the referee waved it off — makes it hard to avoid the question: what does the Dillian Whyte future actually look like?
Is It Time for Retirement?
Let’s be brutally honest. Whyte has given us some brilliant nights. His battles with Anthony Joshua, Dereck Chisora and Joseph Parker will always be remembered. But he’s also taken more punishment than most heavyweights should. The brutal KO loss to Alexander Povetkin, the savage uppercut from Tyson Fury, and now this demolition job from Itauma — it all adds up.
At 37, he doesn’t have the legs or the reflexes he once did. And unlike fighters such as Chisora, who’s leaned into the role of entertaining gatekeeper, Whyte’s body language on Saturday screamed of a man who’d reached his limit. Retirement may not just be sensible; it might be the only path left.
The Gatekeeper Route
That said, boxing is rarely that straightforward. Heavyweights always get second (and third, and fourth) chances. If Whyte wants to keep fighting, promoters will still see value in him. He’s a name, he brings drama, and he’s got a loyal fanbase.
The real question is whether he’s prepared to become a gatekeeper. Would he take fights against younger, fresher heavyweights knowing the promoter’s plan is to use his name as a stepping stone? That’s a tough pill to swallow for a fighter who’s always seen himself as a contender.
Possible Domestic Fights
If Whyte does carry on, there are still names out there who might share a ring with him — though most are more “crossroads” than “contender”:
- Joe Joyce – Still the most logical option. Both men are battle-worn, both coming off damaging losses, and both need to prove they’ve got anything left. It’s the kind of fight where the loser almost certainly retires.
- Frazer Clarke – Clarke is desperate for a recognisable name on his record. Whyte gives him exactly that, and it’s the sort of fight Sky or Matchroom could sell as a test for the new generation.
- David Adeleye – A fiery domestic clash that would have plenty of needle. Adeleye is rebuilding himself, but putting him in with Whyte would generate headlines and tickets.
- Dereck Chisora III – The trilogy fight nobody asked for but plenty would still watch. Both men are near the end, and a rubber match could work as a farewell bout for one or both.
- Outside chance: Deontay Wilder – Wilder’s career is in limbo after recent setbacks. A Whyte fight would sell based on their years of bad blood, even if both are now miles from their peak.
None of these fights scream world level, but they do fit the narrative of a veteran trying to bow out on his own terms. The Dillian Whyte future is no longer about titles — it’s about what kind of ending he wants.
Legacy Check: Nearly Man or Cult Favourite?
The toughest thing for Whyte is how his career will be remembered. On paper, he’s had a brilliant run — pay-per-view headliner, WBC interim champion, global name. But he never quite landed the big one. He was always the “nearly man” at world level.
Still, his legacy shouldn’t be dismissed. He brought fire to the heavyweight division when it desperately needed characters. His rivalry with AJ helped shape modern British boxing. And his wars with Chisora are the kind fans still talk about years later.
Final Thoughts: What Does the Dillian Whyte Future Hold?
For me, Saturday felt like the end. There’s no shame in calling time. Whyte’s given the sport more than enough and deserves to walk away with his health intact. If he does retire, he’ll be remembered as one of Britain’s most entertaining heavyweights of the past decade.
If he carries on, expect promoters to use him as a stepping stone for the next crop of contenders. But either way, the Dillian Whyte future is no longer about chasing world titles — it’s about how he wants to bow out.
Over to you
Do you think Dillian Whyte should retire now, or does he still have a role left to play? Drop your thoughts in the comments, share this with your mates, and keep the debate going. And for more honest takes on the state of boxing, check out CMBoxing.