It seems like former unified heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua of England will get again within the ring later this Summer season and accomplish that in opposition to a countryman that he’s aware of/kayoed already.
This, as Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, confirmed that their aspect has despatched a contract to former title challenger Dillian Whyte for a headlining contender battle August twelfth.
Hearn informed BBC Sport Monday afternoon of the previous WBA/IBF/WBO champ’s quick time period plan,
“Our plan, which we’ve harassed, is for AJ to field on Aug. 12 and in December once more in opposition to Deontay Wilder,” Hearn stated. “The negotiations might be troublesome however each AJ and Whyte need the battle. Dillian has loads of worth within the rematch. This isn’t an opponent for Joshua, however a giant battle between two world-class heavyweights and big British names.”
Apparently, each fighters need to get again within the heavyweight title image and each final fought in opposition to American Jermaine Franklin. Joshua, now 25-3, 22 KOs, beat Franklin again in April by determination to get his profession again on monitor.
This, after the previous British Gold Medalist from the 2012 Olympics was overwhelmed twice by Oleksandr Usyk on factors and misplaced his titles. The second of these defeats got here in August of 2022 and put his profession at a cross roads. Joshua is now being educated by American Derrick James, who additionally works with the likes of Jermell Charlo and Errol Spence, in his Texas health club in an try to get him again to championship type.
As for White, he’s most identified not too long ago for having been kayoed by WBC title holder Tyson Fury in April 2022. Whyte returned to the ring, additionally in opposition to Franklin, and gained a sloppier determination than Joshua final November.
There’s urge for food for this rematch, particularly for Whyte, as Joshua holds an April 2015 KO victory over him in wild bout, the place each fighters had been harm. The August twelfth date is now in play, once more, after K2 Promotions determined to maneuver the Usyk-Daniel Dubois WBA necessary title protection in Poland off that date to 2 weeks afterward August twenty sixth.
Hearn has repeatedly confirmed that he and Joshua need to battle former WBC titleholder, American Deontay Wilder, in Saudi Arabia possible in December. That battle may very well be a part of a doubleheader of heavyweight bouts that presumably has an undisputed battle between Usyk and Fury, as the largest one.
As for Wilder, he defended the WBC inexperienced strap 10 instances from 2015-19 till Fury kayoed him twice, and hasn’t been within the ring since his one punch KO of Robert Helenius again in October. Nevertheless, if Joshua wins over White on this proposed bout, it could be a pretty and profitable non-title battle for the Alabama native.
