Eddie Hearn has confirmed that negotiations for Anthony Joshua to rematch Dillian Whyte have come to an end following the sides failing to reach an agreement on finances.
The August 12 plan with Whyte was designed to gear Joshua up for a Deontay Wilder fight later in the year whilst also engaging the domestic audience by reigniting an old rivalry.
Whilst Hearn told Boxing Social that the rumour of a £10 million demand from Whyte floating around isn’t true, he did confirm that negotiations for the rematch have come to an abrupt end.
“No it’s not true at all. We made him an offer which they made it clear was nowhere near their expectations, and, quite honestly, there were very little negotiations after that. He never asked for ten million. Not sure where that came from.”
Asked if Agit Kabayel was a possibility instead, he said yes.
The German fighter is undefeated in 23, but has had a very sporadic career over the last five years. He is ranked number ten with the WBO, 14 with the WBA, 13 with the WBC and ten with the IBF.
“[Agit Kabayel] may be on a long list. Anyone in the top fifteen. I don’t mind being honest – AJ’s going to fight Deontay Wilder in December. That’s our 100% focus.
So he needs a fight against someone who’s going to allow him to work on, under the lights, everything he’s been working on with Derrick James. There’s no point fighting a fight that’s against someone he’s going to take out in a round. And it’s difficult to fight an elite, top three of five guy when you’re fighting Deontay Wilder four months later.
So we’re in a bit of a difficult position. I don’t think Saudi want him to fight, because they want him to be ready for Deontay Wilder in December. But we as a team, Derrick James, Anthony and 258 Management all feel that it would be beneficial for his preparation to have that fight in August.”
Hearn then said that Kabayel was joined by four or five other heavyweights with potential – one of which is not Jarrell Miller.
“I don’t think the Jarrell Miller fight’s gonna happen, no. Who knows what’s going to happen in future, we know my feelings on that. Kabayel is a European champion, he’s top fifteen. He’s on a list of four, five fighters that it could be. But we need to close it out this weekend if he’s going to fight on August 12.”
Fans should expect an announcement soon as to Joshua’s fight plans for the summer.