TYSON FURY's and Dillian Whyte’s relationship has gone sour over the years, with a fight between the heavyweights getting closer.
It wasn't always like this.
Tyson Fury was once a sparring partner back in the day
On Sunday, the Gypsy King and the Body Snatcher shared photos of themselves from the past sparring matches.
The 33-year old captioned the snaps and said, "Funny the way people treat you when they are kind to you."
In a post that he shared with his 447,000 Instagram followers earlier in the day, Whyte (33), had made a dig at the WBC champion.
He said, "The coward really doesn’t want any smoking." It will be a memorable night, and I cannot wait to have my moment.
Whyte, Interim WBC Champ, is determined to win his first heavyweight title shot and believes Fury will be the first to lose.
Unbeaten Mancunian Fury is positive it will be an easy evening against his British compatriot.
SunSport looks at how ex-pals turned into rivals over the past few years.
CONFLICTING SPARRING CLAIMS
Fury had Whyte twice called in as Fury's sparring partner. The first was in Manchester, 2012, before Fury's fight against Martin Rogan.
Then again, in the middle 2013 at the Belgian-Dutch frontier for Fury's domestic fight against David Haye. This failed to materialise.
The opinions of both men on the outcome of the sparring were different. However, the pair insist that they won.
Michelle Joy Phelps, Fury stated that "Dillian Whyte" is a heavy-set man with legs. He was punched in the head many times in the gym. I hope to have the chance to do the same in the ring.
White spoke out to Sky Sports, saying that Tyson is awkward, he's tall, rangy, and some days he might outbox you. But I have definitely laid him out before.
"I have definitely placed him on his bottom before."
Before adding: "He came out and claimed he had beat me up at the gym. That didn't happen, I can assure you.
"I don’t like sparring stories, but people who play the game know. They know a lot about me. Tyson Fury and me fought and I blasted him and dropped him multiple times. It's that simple.
WBC CONTROVERSY
Deontay Wilder was Whyte's No1 challenger in 2018. The Bronze Bomber chose instead to face Fury within the squared circle.
American player Fury lost to Fury twice in the next epic trilogy. Whyte was referred to as the "s*** on his toilet paper" earlier this year, as he said that he doesn't mean anything.
It was expected that Whyte would get Fury's belt after he failed to fight the native of Alabama.
The WBC sensationally failed To Name Fury's Mandatory Challenger. This angered Whyte, who had spent more than 1,000 days as Wilder’s mandatory.
Fury spoke out about his disappointment at the decision and said that Dillian Whyte would be ideal. A big punch bag with legs is what he wanted, and he would have made the perfect candidate.
"But he also has his own legal issues that he must resolve first.
"I don’t care who I fight, but I will be fighting at the beginning of February or March, 100 percent guaranteed.
"And I don’t care who it is, the outcome is always same, I will win."
FIGHT REJECTION
Whyte was frustrated at not being allowed to fight Fury, after claiming that in September the Gypsy King had twice refused the opportunity to test his wits against him.
Fury stated in an X-rated Twitter exchange that Fury thought: "Dillian Whyte, a chinless, s**ty piece, was offered PS5million to combat AJ, but declined."
"I'm putting your notice, bum. Do not lose again, I will smash you to pieces in a keep busy fight before I smash Anthony Joshua."
Whyte replied by referring to Fury's failed VADA test for cocaine in 2016.
He tweeted: "Coke Head, don't discuss what you don’t know. Talk about the two times that you were ordered to fight me and p d. You gypsy coward.
"You know exactly where I am, coke head. "Hit me up, baby, I got your back."
Fury responded, "I have a real fight to win first!" Fury replied: "I have a real fight to do first! Bum.
"I can beat your with one hand behind mine."
COOL HAND LUKE
Another claim is that Whyte claimed Fury's real identity is Luke and that he changed Tyson's name to Fury to make it sound harder.
Former British and European champion lists his full name at Tyson Luke Fury.
SunSport reported that Whyte said last year that his real name was Dillian. I know his real identity is Luke.
"He changed it from Tyson to make him sound harder. You can take a look at the internet to see what all the fuss is about. The name Tyson in boxing is more popular than Luke.
"A lot Tyson says and does is a game. You can't take any of his statements seriously.
"He may say he wants me to fight him sometimes, but how can I trust a man who doesn’t even use his name?"
Anthony Joshua also joined Whyte earlier this year in calling Fury "Luke" after his fight against him failed.
