Anthony Joshua has agreed to face Dillian Whyte, one of his former adversaries, in his next fight.
The former unified heavyweight champion was originally in talks to face WBC titlist, Tyson Fury, for an all-British super fight in December, but negotiations quickly fell apart, despite the two fighters agreeing on the main conditions.
Fury now heads into a trilogy fight with Derek Chisora on December 3ed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Joshua, meanwhile, is currently without an opponent. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, has touted Dillian Whyte as a potential opponent for Joshua’s return to the ring which is expected in the first quarter of next year. The two had locked horns back in 2015, with Joshua earning a victory via seventh-round TKO.
Would I fight Dillian again? Yes, 100%: Anthony Joshua
AJ, who was eager to return to the top strata after losing a second straight fight to the current WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO champion Oleksandr Usyk in August, recently said he would accept a rematch with Whyte without hesitation.
“You know what it is ? You better talk to me because I can tell myself,” Joshua told iFL TV. “It’s possible, but don’t take offense at that. The game is constantly evolving. That’s all Dillian wants to do, too.
“Would I fight Dillian again? Yes, 100%” the Briton added.
Whyte (28−3, 19 KOs) is currently scheduled to face Michigan’s Jermaine Franklin on Nov. 26 at Wembley Arena. A former WBC interim champion, ‘The Body Snatcher’ is coming off a knockout loss to Fury in April.
Hearn, meanwhile, said Franklin (21−0, 14 KOs) would become the favorite to fight Joshua in his comeback fight if he beat Whyte and also suggested Swedish southpaw Otto Wallin could be a potential opponent for AJ as well.
Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) admitted he was appalled by his negotiations in ending with Fury. Still, the heavyweight maintained he was optimistic a fight between him and the Gyspy King will eventually come to fruition.
“Fighting for the World Heavyweight Championship (against Fury) was a great opportunity for me. After just taking a loss, too…it was sad that it didn’t happen,” Joshua added, “And, yeah, that’s a shame, that’s why I decided after that there was too much talk. When I am ready to negotiate again, I will do it properly.”
