Dillian Whyte wants Anthony Joshua rematch in late 2016
Tuesday 19 January 2016 16:13, UK
Dillian Whyte wants to face Anthony Joshua for a second time as a professional exactly a year after their thrilling British and Commonwealth heavyweight title clash.
Joshua (16-0-KO16) was seriously troubled for the first time in his professional career at The O2 on December 12, 2015 - Whyte overcoming a battering in the opening round to wobble the Olympic champion in the second.
Whyte (16-1-KO13) was eventually knocked out in the seventh and has since undergone shoulder surgery. With his comeback scheduled for May or June, Whyte is more determined than ever to repeat his amateur victory over Joshua in the paid ranks.
He told Sky Sports: "We can do it again on December 12. Why not? Let's do it again if Eddie [Hearn] wants it. I'm here. I'll be back in the ring by May or June, God willing if everything goes to plan and I heal up good.
"I'll have been off for six or seven months. Then I hope to fight someone like Dereck Chisora or Lucas Browne. I'll knock one of those guys out and then have the rematch.
Joshua asked for the rematch but Barry Hearn said: 'No mate. You don't want to be going near that fella' again any time soon.
"Joshua asked for the rematch but Barry Hearn said: 'No, mate. You don't want to be going near that fella' again any time soon. Leave it for a couple of years down the line.' If they want it, though, I'm down.
"We broke records for a British title fight and that was mainly because of me. Who's he going to fight on pay-per-view next. Where does he go? He's not ready for David Haye, Deontay Wilder or Tyson Fury.
"Before he fought me, everyone was saying that he's ready for this guy and ready for that guy. Now he's fought me, everyone is saying they need to put the brakes on."
At the end of a brutal first round, Whyte and Joshua exchanged blows after the bell - Whyte chasing Joshua across the ring and throwing a right hand that prompted members of both entourages to enter the ring.
But Whyte said: "I'm never angry. It was just a natural reaction if someone punches you in the face after the bell. Joshua has done it a lot in his career - hitting guys after the bell or when they're on the floor.
"The referee said stop and he hit me twice after the bell. It was just a natural reaction. I'm not going to sit down and take it. The only thing that you can hit in the sport that won't hit you back is a punchbag."
