Dillian Whyte v Jermaine Franklin preview: Whyte to get back on track

Dillian Whyte returns to the ring on Saturday night as he takes on the undefeated Jermaine Franklin at the OVO Arena in London.

We preview all the action below.

Whyte looking to get back into world title contention

Dillian Whyte is making his first appearance since losing to Tyson Fury by TKO in April, knowing that only a victory will allow him to get back into world-title contention. The 34-year-old Briton admitted he was ‘wounded’ by his convincing defeat to Fury at Wembley Stadium, making it two losses in his last three fights, and faces an unbeaten Jermaine Franklin on Saturday night.

The Body Snatcher will start Saturday’s bout against the American, who has never gone past ten rounds at professional level, as the heavy 1/12 favourite.

Whyte should have too much for the Franklin, and will be disappointed if he doesn’t end the contest within nine or ten rounds to enhance his current knockout percentage of 61%. Whilst the Brit to win by KO, TKO or DQ is appropriately valued at 2/7, round betting will certainly represent better value for this one. Therefore, backing Whyte to have too much power for his opponent and to win in either Round 8 or Round 9 at 8/1 looks the most appealing punt for Saturday’s contest.

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Franklin needs to work quickly if he’s to maintain unbeaten record

Franklin, conversely, looks to face an uphill task of preserving his 100% record – currently standing at 21 victories – with a big price of 7/1 to win on the night. Anyone with his kind of record is dangerous though, and there has been plenty of confidence in the Franklin camp that they can deal Whyte a knockout blow.

Given his record of never being taken the distance at professional level, Franklin’s best chance of securing victory at the OVO Arena, looks to be to stop the fight in the middle rounds. The fighter known as the ‘989 Assassin’ has a 66% knockout percentage from his 21 bouts, and can be boldly backed at 10/1 to win by KO, TKO or DQ. He does stand at a height and reach disadvantage though, and will have to work hard if he is to find a way past the Dillian Whyte defence. At 20/1 to win on points it looks unlikely that he will triumph is going the distance.

With promoter Eddie Hearn floating the idea of the winner fighting Anthony Joshua, Franklin needs little more motivation to make a statement performance in what amounts to the biggest bout of his career so far.

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