For Dillian Whyte (29-3) it was simple.
A win over Jermaine Franklin would set up a fight with Anthony Joshua. A loss would have most calling for his retirement.
In a fight that saw its share of back and forth, Whyte lived to fight another day with a majority decision victory.
Official scorecards had it 115-115, 116-112 (Whyte), 116-112 (Whyte). MTC Media scored the fight 115-113 for Whyte.
Whyte worked Franklin’s body early hoping to break down the underdog. Instead, Franklin returned fire to both the head and the body. As the fight went on, cornerman Buddy McGirt, implored Whyte to work behind his jab. Whyte did just that and it paid dividends in the last round when Whyte hurt Franklin.
