Joshua: Dillian Whyte is likely to earn a rematch with Anthony Joshua, says promoter Eddie Hearn
Wednesday 2 August 2017 09:59, UK
Promoter Eddie Hearn says a rematch between Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua ''would be massive in this country'' if the Brixton man wins a world title first.
'The Body Snatcher' suffered his first defeat as a professional in the pair's first meeting at London's O2 Arena in December 2015, but it did visibly rock the former Olympic champion in the second round.
Whyte also holds an amateur victory over Joshua, and another encounter is likely to happen, according to Hearn.
For some reason, AJ enjoyed his first fight with Whyte so much he wants to do it again
"For some reason, AJ enjoyed his first fight with Whyte so much he wants to do it again," Hearn told GQ magazine.
"The funny thing is that Anthony Joshua has four opponents he really wants to fight: the rematch with Wladimir Klitschko, Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder and Dillian Whyte.
"So if Whyte can win a heavyweight title, that fight would be massive in this country."
Whyte has not fought since defeating Dereck Chisora in a fight-of-the-year contender last December, but is scheduled to return on the Terence Crawford vs Julius Indongo undercard in Nebraska on August 19, live on Sky Sports.
The 29-year-old is hopeful of a big fight after his American debut, and negotiations with WBC champion Deontay Wilder have taken place, states Hearn.
"We have made three really good offers," he said.
"Wilder's team have got some issues they need to solve with their mandatory challenger, but we've offered them a big, big deal and I think they are interested. It should be a great fight."
"No one really wants to fight Dillian Whyte because he is a right handful, he has got a great chin, he's got a great work-rate, he's strong and he can punch.
"But if Wilder wants to build his name in the UK ahead of a potential unification fight with Joshua, this fight would be perfect. Of course, if Wilder loses, that's the big fight with Joshua out the window, so it is risky for both of them."
