Tyson Fury announces social media blackout ahead of fight with Dillian Whyte

Tyson Fury announced a social media blackout so he can give Dillian Whyte “all the respect he deserves” ahead of an anticipated world heavyweight title contest between the British rivals.

Whyte had until 6am on Tuesday to sign a contract to face WBC champion Fury, whose co-promoter Frank Warren won the purse bids in December for the bout with a record 41million US dollars (£30million) offer.

It was rumoured Whyte was seeking a renegotiation to increase his share of the split as he is entitled to just 20 per cent of the purse, but the 33-year-old Londoner put pen to paper hours before the deadline, according to Fury.

Fury, who claimed the WBC title by stopping Deontay Wilder in February 2020 and made his first defence by knocking out the American last October, has been goading his mandatory challenger on social media for several weeks.

And the 33-year-old WBC champion said in an Instagram story on Tuesday morning: “Oh my God. Dillian Whyte’s signed his contract for 8million dollars. What a surprise!

“An absolute idiot. Should this even be a talking point? The man signed, for the biggest pay-day he’s ever going to get in his life.”

Fury (31-0-1, 22KOs) suspects the reason for Whyte’s delay may have been some mental ploy to unnerve the self-styled Gypsy King ahead of a blockbuster bout that has been reported to be pencilled in for April 23rd at Wembley.

Kindly respect my peace and privacy as I train like the Spartan I am for another world title defence #TeamFury See you all at the Press Conference