The search for Anthony Joshua’s replacement opponent continues following Dillian Whyte’s removal from the main event.
It was announced by the promotion one week out from the August 12 fight that Whyte had returned ‘adverse analytical findings’ in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency test, and was ineligible to fight the ‘AJ’ rematch.
With a full card of fighters and plenty of fans set to make the trip to London’s O2 Arena, Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom are now scrambling to save the show by bringing in another heavyweight to top the bill.
People immediately looked to the undercard fights scheduled, namely Filip Hrgovic versus Demsey McKean and Derek Chisora versus Gerald Washington.
According to Washington via ES News, he has been contacted about the fight.
“We gonna put in some good work. We’re waiting so see what’s going on. We set to fight Chisora [but] I know they gonna need somebody to step in and save the show, man. If they need us we right here, baby.”
“We’re very excited to fight Chisora [but] something against AJ would be spectacular, man … They already reached out to me, man, so we gonna see.”
Washington’s trainer, Malik Scott, said he was going to make it happen. Scott also trains Deontay Wilder, the man ‘AJ’ is slated to face at the beginning of 2024 should he win this next fight.
“It’s a fitting time for [Gerald] to fight this Anthony Joshua, and guess what? I’m gonna orchestrate the s**t.”
Washington, 41, has previously challenged for the world title on one occasion. He would enter the ring against AJ following three years of very little activity, his last outing being a loss to Ali Eren Demirezen in January of 2022.
Hearn is likely putting the feelers out to more than one replacement, although the American does remain a real possibility. The final decision is expected early this week.