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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Ben Davies

Dillian Whyte finds new coach and resumes training ahead of planned return this year

Dillian Whyte has linked up with new coach Buddy McGirt and is training in California ahead of a potential ring return before the end of the year.

The 'Body Snatcher' has not fought since being knocked out in his WBC heavyweight title challenge against Tyson Fury back in April, and is currently a free agent. Whyte has been heavily linked with a number of fights since his inactivity began including a rematch with Joseph Parker and a trilogy bout with Derek Chisora.

Whyte worked with head coach Xavier Miller for his unsuccessful challenge against the 'Gypsy King' where he was unable to stamp his authority on the clash. But the 34-year-old has revealed he has now relocated to California and is eyeing a potential second shot at Anthony Joshua.

"Buddy has been a two-time world champion, he fought a lot of good guys and has been in the corner of a lot of top guys as well," Whyte told Sky Sports when assessing his new training set-up for his heavyweight comeback. "He's been around, had years and rounds of world title experience and I think that's why I need at this stage in my career, somebody who can make little tweaks and has a bit more experience in big fights.

"If the Fury fight doesn't get made with him and Joshua, me and Joshua can fight in December if he wants. He's training for it, he's ready for it, he's willing to take Fury on so if that fight doesn't get made I'll step up and take the fight with Joshua."

Joshua and Whyte first met in the ring in a bumper domestic clash back in 2015, where 'AJ' picked up a stoppage victory and continued his route to becoming unified heavyweight champion. Prior to Joshua's recent second defeat to Usyk, the pair came across each other in a chance meeting where the pair agreed to settle the scores.

Dillian Whyte is eyeing a return before the end of the year (PA)

Who would you like to see Dillian Whyte face when he returns? Let us know in the comments section below

There could be a number of potential challenges on the table including Parker who remains keen to try and avenge his defeat against the Briton despite losing to Joe Joyce at the weekend. And the New Zealander believes he would represent a good-level of test for Whyte providing he is available.

"I'll go home, see my wife and kids, spend some quality time and then come back and see what's next," Parker told iD Boxing. "I'd love to fight Dillian Whyte. If he's free and available and there's nothing locked in for him I think it would be a great fight. He's coming off a loss, I'm coming off a loss, if we can make it happen it would be great because the first fight was a close fight."

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