Robert Whittaker: I’m Not Friends With Darren Till, Will Crush Him On ‘Fight Island’

Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker says he is not friends with his July 25 opponent, Darren Till, or anyone else in the division. Whittaker is focused on “crushing” the Englishman on ‘Fight Island’ to re-establish himself as a serious player in the 185lb weight class.

Ahead of the fight, Whittaker spoke to Submission Radio about his jovial relationship with Till which has seen the pair having fun and exchanging jokes on social media, he said.  

“Honestly, it’s the same as it’s always been. It’s cool how it’s a different approach, but I’m not really thinking about whether Darren’s a cool guy or not. Before the fight was lined up it was cool to just josh back and forth, have a bit of fun with it, try to make some interest for the fight, but once we kind of knew we were fighting, I don’t really care what sort of person he is. It’s just one of those things where all I’m focusing on now is just focusing on crushing him.”

As fight night creeps closer Whittaker wanted to be clear he is not friends with Till or anyone else at middleweight, he said.

“Let me just say, I have no friends in the middleweight division. I can’t be friends with anybody I could be fighting. So, let’s just clear that up. And two, mate, we’re in the fight game. It’s cool to be lined up with a guy that isn’t acting like a Gronk, but at the end of the day, he’s coming to take what’s mine and I’m coming to take what’s his, and that’s the game we’re in. That’s the fight game, that’s the fight world.”

“The thing is, we’re just cool. He’s doing his thing, I’m doing mine. We have a bit of fun, but we’re both respectful. But don’t get this wrong, the weeks are getting closer and our sights are set on each other’s faces. It’s war time. I’m ready for the fight of my life, and I’m gonna bring the fight of his life.”

Will Robert Whittaker “crush” Darren Till on July 25?