Trainer Shane McGuigan believes where Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte find themselves in their careers makes for a good fight.
Joshua is out of the world title picture for the first time in the best part of a decade, but has recently linked up with coach Derrick James to try and get himself to the top once more.
His recent decision win over Jermaine Franklin saw him bounce back after two losses to Oleksandr Usyk, and he’s keen to build on any momentum gained with two more fights this year – the first of which could be a rematch with Whyte.
The pair fought back in 2015 for the British Heavyweight title – ‘AJ’ TKO 7th – following a meeting in the amateurs which saw Whyte win.
Since then, ‘The Bodysnatcher’ has fought himself to world level and a title shot against Tyson Fury in April of 2022. He was stopped in the sixth from a right uppercut, and also chose Franklin as his comeback fight.
Speaking to Seconds Out, McGuigan said both men will believe the can stop the other based on form.
“I think it’s a good fight. Dillian, even though whenever he gets beaten and gets stopped he always comes back like nothing’s ever happened. He’s game as anything and that’s why he’s dangerous.
AJ’s showed a little bit that he’s hesitating, not trusting himself, and I think it’s a very good fight to get the confidence up and get a stoppage, which he believes he’ll probably get.
Dillian Whyte’s probably looking at him and saying ‘he’s a bit gun-shy, I think I can get a stoppage.’ It’s always a good fight between those two.”
The rematch is still Team Joshua’s ideal bout for August 12, but Eddie Hearn recently told Boxing Social that negotiations over the figures may see Whyte look elsewhere.
