After Kubrat Pulev’s injury announcement and withdrawal from his fight against Anthony Joshua, there was one name that popped up immediately afterward.
Dillian Whyte.
A part of the boxing fans wanted it, ‘AJ’ wanted it, but promoter Eddie Hearn had to step in and say not just yet.
“Joshua said ‘what about Dillian?’ And Dillian would have had it, but it’s not the right time, you’d like to let them both prepare,” said Hearn in an interview with Sky Sports.
On top of that, Joshua would have lost his IBF World heavyweight title because Whyte is not high enough on the rankings list.
“We’d lose the IBF belt [if Joshua fought Whyte]. The ranking goes Takam, Christian Hammer, Jarrell Miller, Whyte. The IBF belt would have been stripped so it defeats the object,” explained Hearn.
It’s almost go time baby see you all there thanks for all the support guys love you all and Big up to the Cardiff fans #TEAMBODYSNATCHERpic.twitter.com/B6MQ6BNqms
— Dillian Whyte (@DillianWhyte) October 28, 2017
Earlier this week in an interview with ESPN, the World Heavyweight champion told why he wanted Whyte.
“Dillian was the first person I asked to fight in Cardiff because the two people who brought the best out of me entertainment-wise were Dillian and Klitschko. Klitschko, I was buzzing for a rematch because of the type of fight it was, it was great. Let’s look back at certain careers – if you can pick memorable nights Dillian would be one and Klitschko would be one,” told Joshua.
Just like Hearn broke it down, due to the rankings, Joshua is defending his titles against Carlos Takam this weekend. The reigning champion has promised an exciting fight and will most likely go ‘toe-to-toe’ against the mandatory challenger on October 28th at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
READ MORE:
Joshua: I Asked For Whyte Rematch
Anthony Joshua Expecting To Go Into Deep Waters Against Takam
Dillian Whyte Targeting Anthony Joshua For Next Year
Helenius: I Will Knock Out Whyte!