Dillian Whyte's quest for a shot at the heavyweight championship has suffered a setback after the WBC failed to mandate champion Tyson Fury to face his British rival.
Whyte was expected to be named as the mandatory challenger to Fury's WBC belt, a title he retained with an 11th-round knockout of Deontay Wilder in October, with Whyte sitting in pole position to challenge due to his status as the WBC 'interim' champion.
However, the WBC did not reveal Fury's mandatory commitments at its annual convention on Tuesday, meaning Whyte must wait longer for the fight to be sanctioned.
The WBC indicated Whyte's legal battle - thought to focus on his frustrations at not getting a title fight - means they cannot officially call for the mandatory defence.
WBC chiefs had previously said they were intending to order a mandatory defence for Fury if he was unable to arrange a bout with new unified and WBA (Super), WBO and IBF champion Oleksandr Usyk. That unification fight was effectively ruled out as soon as Anthony Joshua triggered his rematch clause against the Ukrainian.
Usyk systematically dismantled Joshua in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, winning a unanimous decision to become only the third man in history to win titles at cruiserweight and heavyweight.
Whyte, meanwhile, was scheduled to fight Otto Wallin in a contest to determine the mandatory challenger, but pulled out because of a shoulder injury.
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WBC champion Tyson Fury knocks out Deontay Wilder in the 11th round of their incredible heavyweight title fight in Las Vegas in October, 2021. EPA -
Tyson Fury on his way to the ring for his WBC heavyweight title fight with Deontay Wilder at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas on October 9, 2021. AFP -
Deontay Wilder makes his entrance before the fight. Reuters -
Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder prepare to fight. Reuters -
Fury in action against Deontay Wilder in round one. Reuters -
Tyson Fury on the front foot. Reuters -
Tyson Fury lands a punch on US challenger Deontay Wilder. AFP -
Tyson Fury on the attack. Reuters -
Deontay Wilder is knocked down by Tyson Fury in the third round. Reuters -
Tyson Fury knocks down Deontay Wilder. Reuters -
Deontay Wilder knocks down Tyson Fury in the fourth round. Reuters -
Tyson Fury reacts after being knocked down by Deontay Wilder. Reuters -
Tyson Fury gets up after he was knocked down twice in the fourth round. AP -
Tyson Fury was in big trouble in the fourth round. Reuters -
Tyson Fury receives attention in his corner. Reuters -
Tyson Fury fights back against Deontay Wilder. EPA -
Deontay Wilder goes down on one knee as the referee holds back Tyson Fury during round six. AFP -
Tyson Fury in action against Deontay Wilder in an incredible fight. Reuters -
The action continued at a frenetic pace as Fury started to edge ahead on the scorecards. AP -
Deontay Wilder swings at Tyson Fury as the battle continuedn into round nine. AP -
Tyson Fury raises his arms after knocking down Wilder in the tenth round - but that wasn't the end. Reuters -
Deontay Wilder is given the count in round ten. Reuters -
WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury knocks out US challenger Deontay Wilder in the 11th round. AFP -
What a fight! Tyson Fury knocks out Deontay Wilder. Reuters -
Tyson Fury KOs Deontay Wilder in the 11th round. AFP -
WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury starts his celebrations. AFP -
WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury after his victory against US challenger Deontay Wilder in the 11th round. AFP -
WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury after his victory against US challenger Deontay Wilder in the 11th round. AFP -
Tyson Fury celebrates after defeating Deontay Wilder to retain his title. AP -
Tyson Fury after winning the fight against Deontay Wilder. Reuters -
Tyson Fury's team celebrate. Reuters -
Tyson Fury gives an interview after the fight. Reuters -
Tyson Fury celebrates with his wife Paris. Reuters -
Tyson Fury poses for a photograph with promoters Frank Warren and Bob Arum, trainer SugarHill Steward, wife, Paris and team during a press conference after Fury won the fight against Deontay Wilder. Reuters -
Tyson Fury poses for a photograph with promoters Frank Warren and Bob Arum, trainer SugarHill Steward and commentator, Crystina Poncher. Reuters -
Tyson Fury during a press conference after winning the fight against Deontay Wilder, as promoter Bob Arum looks on. Reuters -
Promoters Bob Arum and Frank Warren. Reuters -
Tyson Fury poses for a photograph with promoters Frank Warren and Bob Arum. Reuters -
Tyson Fury and trainer SugarHill Steward with the belts during a press conference. Reuters -
Tyson Fury speaks on his phone during a press conference after winning the fight against Deontay Wilder. Reuters
His withdrawal is not thought to have had any effect on the WBC's decision not to order Fury to face Whyte.
The impasse leaves Fury's own plans in limbo. The 33-year-old Englishman cemented his legacy as one of the best heavyweights of his generation by closing out his epic trilogy against Wilder in emphatic style, with a fourth instalment against the 'Bronze Bomber' holding little appeal.
It has been three years since Fury last fought in the UK – when he outpointed Francesco Pianeta in Belfast – and his co-promoters Bob Arum and Frank Warren have both said they expect the unbeaten champion's next fight to take place in the UK.
Fury is currently training half-brother Tommy Fury for his upcoming bout against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Tampa, Florida next month.
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Jake Paul speaks during a news conference to promote his Showtime pay-per-view boxing event against Tommy Fury at Resorts World Las Vegas on November 6, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Paul will face Fury in an eight-round cruiserweight bout, at a 192-pound catchweight, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida on December 18. AFP -
Cosplayer Mzre Yuen attends Jake Paul's news conference to promote his Showtime pay-per-view boxing event against Tommy Fury at Resorts World Las Vegas. AFP -
Jake Paul speaks during a news conference to promote his Showtime pay-per-view boxing event against Tommy Fury. AFP -
Tommy Fury's trainer SugarHill Steward speaks during a news conference to promote Fury's Showtime pay-per-view boxing event against Jake Paul in Tampa, Florida on December 18. AFP -
Jake Paul's mascot The Problem Bot looks on as comedian Drew "Druski" Desbordes and Paul speak to reporters. AFP -
Showtime boxing host Claudia Trejos. AFP -
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. AFP -
Comedian Drew "Druski" Desbordes as "Coach D," Jake Paul and Showtime boxing host Claudia Trejos pose. AFP -
Jake Paul speaks during a news conference to promote his Showtime pay-per-view boxing event against Tommy Fury at Resorts World Las Vegas. AFP -
Jake Paul attends a news conference to promote his Showtime pay-per-view boxing event against Tommy Fury. AFP -
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. AFP -
Tommy Fury's trainer SugarHill Steward. AFP
