Dillian Whyte warns Anthony Joshua about returning too soon and encourages Deontay Wilder fight
Dillian Whyte believes Anthony Joshua needs to give himself more time to recover before returning to the ring following December's car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends; Joshua has been linked to fights with Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury in 2026
Monday 13 April 2026 10:21, UK
Dillian Whyte says Deontay Wilder makes sense as the next opponent for Anthony Joshua, but believes the former heavyweight world champion is returning to boxing too soon.
Joshua last fought in December when he stopped YouTuber Jake Paul, before being involved in a car accident in Nigeria that resulted in the death of two close friends.
Wilder welcomed a fight against the two-time world champion in the aftermath of his win over Derek Chisora and Whyte in turn downplayed his prospects of having a rematch against his old rival.
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"I would love it, but no one's mentioned to me and I don't know about it," Whyte told Sky Sports. "And AJ is probably most likely looking to fight Deontay Wilder now. It's the fight that makes sense.
"If AJ fights Wilder, he will sell and he will knock Wilder out I think."
Joshua is expected to fight Tyson Fury later this year in what looms as a long-coveted all-British heavyweight blockbuster.
A meeting with Wilder beforehand could threaten to scupper plans, and Whyte thinks Joshua should grant himself more time to recover.
"I'm risky for him too, but you know, you have to see," said Whyte, who was stopped by Joshua in the seventh round of their fight in 2015.
"The Tyson Fury fight, run that fight and see what his mind is, see his mentality. They've been through a lot lately. I personally think he's getting back in the ring too soon.
"I think he needs some more time to digest and break down what's happening. Because what's happening to him is a heavy loss. It's not light, it's a heavy loss.
"You think, if you're in a car crash with two random strangers and they die, it will be heavy. Imagine your best friends, your family, it's a heavy loss."
Whyte is yet to confirm details of his next steps after suffering a first-round knockout defeat to Moses Itauma in August last year.
He admits his performance in Saudi Arabia was not a reflection of the 'real Dillian Whyte'.
"One million per cent, I'm not going to go into it because I don't want to take away from the kid's win, he's done his thing, he won," said Whyte.
"It wasn't me. And anybody with a brain can see that. But it is what it is. Sometimes s*** happens and you have to just get on with it, you have to suck it up and get on with it."
Whyte has fought just three times since 2022, including his defeat to Itauma, but waved away suggestions he is looking to retire.
"No, no, no, because I knew what I am, I know who I am," he added.
"I know how capable I am. I know I can still operate at the top level. I just have to be more mindful, learn from my mistakes and make sure certain things don't happen again, you know."
