Dillian Whyte set for Lawrence Okolie showdown after pulling out of Wardley-Huni undercard

Dillian Whyte was set to make his in-ring return at Portman Road this weekend but has opted to pull out after receiving 'a big fight opportunity' in August.

'The Bodysnatcher' recently revealed his ambitions of undertaking one final tilt at capturing a coveted world heavyweight title and the expectation was that he would begin his venture against unheralded New Zealander Hemi Ahio on Saturday night.

However, just days away from the Ipswich fight night, Queensberry promoter Frank Warren has revealed the 37-year-old has requested to withdraw from his scheduled bout and instead prioritise a far more meaningful clash this summer.

"He's not going to be on the card now because he has had the opportunity of a big fight in August," he told BoxNation.

We are looking at the moment to get that over the line - it is a big fight for him, so that is going to take priority.

- Frank Warren (Box Nation)

"He wants that. He wants a bigger fight than he would have got at Ipswich. It is a really big fight."

Whilst no name has officially been revealed by Warren, it's believed the man in question is domestic heavyweight rival Lawrence Okolie.

The two-weight world champion linked-up with Queensberry earlier in the year and marked his blue-riband division bow in emphatic fashion by stopping Hussein Muhamed in the first round.

Okolie, who previously held world titles at cruiserweight and bridgerweight, has been beaten just once in his professional career, by Chris Billam-Smith, but has long held the belief that he would be far more naturally suited to life as a heavyweight.

The Londoner was pencilled in to face long-tern rival Joshua Buatsi earlier in the year before pulling out with an injury - an action that subsequently ignited yet another war of words between the pair.

Like Okolie, Whyte's proposed grand return against Joe Joyce in March, was also scrapped because of a serious finger injury, but it now appears as though the pair are some way down the line in negotiations for a hugely intriguing clash in August.

Mark Mothershaw

• Queensberry
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