Anthony Joshua is currently in talks to reignite his domestic rivalry with Dillian Whyte – although should talks fail there are reportedly two other opponents waiting.
This week it emerged that negotiations between the two – who have fought each other once in the amateurs when Whyte won, and once in the pros in 2015 when Joshua took the victory by knockout – had stumbled over a rematch clause. Initially, Joshua’s team wanted it, Whyte did not, but now ‘AJ’ has agreed to scrap that idea so the fight can be locked in.
Speaking to IFL TV, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn says that whoever the former unified heavyweight fights, it will take place on August 12, and that a deadline has now been set for Whyte to sign.
“[AJ] has said, ‘I don’t care about the rematch clause, I want to fight Dillian Whyte.’ No excuses, there it is, sign it.
They’ve got the contract. If it’s not signed by Saturday then we go to someone else.”
Hearn admits there are two other fighters lined-up to step in should Whyte not sign, but doesn’t reveal who.
Things seem to be taking shape for Joshua, who is still getting accustomed to his new coach Derrick James.
Following his laboured points victory over American Jermaine Franklyn, and should he step into the ring with Whyte in August, he could be in line for a third fight in 12 months with a battle against Wilder looking increasingly likely for December, if not January.
That much-anticipated clash with the heavy hitter is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia, and Hearn has revealed that representatives of both met had met in London to finalise the terms so that Joshua can finally face off against ‘The Bronzer Bomber’.