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Tyson Fury Changed First Name From Luke Claims Rival Dillian Whyte

Tyson Fury Changed First Name From Luke Claims Rival Dillian Whyte

The British boxer claims Fury has used the name change to further his brand and open up opportunity for himself.

Simon Catling

Simon Catling

Tyson Fury changed his name from Luke to make himself sound harder - at least that's the claim from fellow heavyweight boxer Dillian Whyte, who says the name change has boosted the two-time WBC Champion's brand and profile.

Speaking to SunSport, Whyte - whose path to fighting Fury was paused in brutal fashion by Alexander Povetkin in August - said that he had evidence of the name change, as he criticised his rival for doing so.

PA

"My real name is Dillian. I know his real name is Luke" Whyte said.

"He changed it to Tyson to make himself sound harder. People can have a little look around on the internet and see for themselves."

"In boxing, the name Tyson is a lot more sellable than Luke.

"A lot of what Tyson does and says is a game, you can never take anything he says seriously or at face value.

"He might say he wants to fight me sometimes but how can you trust a man who doesn't even use his own name?"

Although only just reported, the quote from Whyte came while he was in the US, training in Brentwood for his ultimately unsuccessful bout with Russian interim WBC Champion Povetkin.

Whyte still harbours hopes of a rematch with Povetkin which, if he was successful in, could pave the way again for a fight for Fury's main belt.

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In the meantime however he'll have to sit on the sidelines while the Irishman negotiates a potential mega-fight with Anthony Joshua in a unification bout.

Whyte, who once took a turn on Celebrity Masterchef, told The Sun he was one of the toughest trainers around, saying: "I drove 40-hours with my three dogs out to my training base in Portugal for a 22-week camp away from home for this fight.

"Now I am living in a caravan for a week before fighting a dangerous Russian, in an Essex field, on the side of the motorway."

He added: "I will fight anyone, anywhere and that is why I am the real Gypsy King and I have even got my flat cap to prove it.

"Tyson Fury likes to tell people that he is but let's see.

"Fury had a privileged upbringing, went to a posh school in an expensive area and lives in a lovely house. What kind of gypsy is he?"

Fury has yet to respond to Whyte's claims, although a simple Wikipedia search does have him listed as Tyson Luke Fury, with several other search results appearing to back-up the Briton's claims.

Is this the fatal body blow that'll tarnish Tyson's reputation for good though? We're guessing probably not.

Featured Image Credit: PA