Just hours before the deadline, Dillian Whyte inked a contract to face WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.The bout is set to take place at Wembley Stadium on April 23, according to Fury.
Whyte, 33, had until 06:00 GMT on Tuesday to sign, but he had spent the weekend and Monday discussing the terms of the agreement."Dillian Whyte signed his deal for $8 million, what a surprise," Fury wrote on Twitter.
"The man's signed for the highest payout he's ever had in his life," Fury continued.
Later that day, he told his followers in a video that he will be taking a sabbatical from social media as he prepares for the fight.
"I'm about to go completely off social media for the next eight and a half weeks," he stated.
"I'm heading to training camp to show Dillian Whyte all the respect he deserves." In my life, I will never underestimate someone.
"Please do not phone, call, email, text, or attempt to contact me in any manner until May." I'll be working out. Please respect my personal space and privacy. "I hope to see you all at the press conference."
Whyte is the mandatory challenger to Fury's WBC title, and he has been waiting for a crack at the world title as the WBC's top-ranked contender for years.
After extensive negotiations between both teams failed, Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions won the purse bidding in January with a $41 million (£30 million) proposal, defeating Whyte's promoter Eddie Hearn, who was the only other bidder.
Fury, 33, is now poised to get 80% of the prize, or roughly £20 million, with Whyte receiving the other 20%.
Whyte has been seeking for a larger share of the purse bid, but the £5.6m he is promised will be his highest paycheck to date. The winner will also receive an additional £3.1 million.
Fury has not fought in the United Kingdom since August 2018, when he defeated Francesco Pianeta. He has fought entirely in the United States since establishing a promotional deal with Bob Arum's Top Rank.
With only two defeats on his record, Whyte has established himself as a formidable opponent in the United Kingdom. There was speculation that his choice to postpone signing his contract was a ploy to unsettle Fury, but the 'Gypsy King' mocked the notion.
