Tyson Fury will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Jamaica-born British boxer Dillian Whyte on April 23, the reigning champion announced on social media today (February 22).

The undefeated Fury, who hasn’t fought since knocking out Deontay Wilder in their trilogy fight in October, said Whyte had signed a contract just hours before the deadline.

The fight is expected to take place at London’s Wembley Stadium.

“The man (Whyte) has signed for the biggest payday he’s going to get in his life,” Fury said in a video on Twitter.

Fury, known as the ‘Gypsy King’, said he will now be taking a break from social media until after the bout with Whyte, who was born in April 1988 in Port Antonio, Portland.

“I’m going into training camp to give Dillian Whyte all the respect in the world he needs,” Fury added. “I’ll never underestimate anyone in my life, and I’ll give this man all the respect he deserves.”

The 6’4″ Whyte is the mandatory challenger to Fury’s WBC belt and has been waiting years for a shot at the world title as the WBC’s top-ranked contender.

After months of drawn-out negotiations, Fury’s co-promoter Frank Warren won the purse bid in January with an offer of US$41 million, beating Whyte’s promoter Eddie Hearn who was the only other bidder.

Fury is now set to receive 80 per cent of the purse and Whyte the remaining 20 per cent.

Whyte is reported to have moved with his family from Jamaica to the United Kingdom at age 12. He has said his first child was born when he was just 13 years old and has claimed to have received “no schooling at all” when he lived on the island.

He has also claimed numerous times that life in Jamaica was difficult and that he was “dodging bullets” and around situations no child at such an age should have been.