Joshua v Whyte: Anthony Joshua hopes to finally receive a handshake after his fight with Dillian Whyte
Friday 11 December 2015 14:23, UK
Anthony Joshua will offer a handshake to Dillian Whyte if he 'puts up a good fight' on Saturday night.
.A bad-tempered feud has surrounded the build-up to the British and Commonwealth title clash at The O2, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
There was another heated exchange of words at the final press conference, with Whyte telling Joshua: "December 12 is not the end of it. I'm going to find you."
Joshua's offer of a handshake was angrily refused by Whyte when the pair appeared on 'The Gloves Are Off', but he is willing to try again - if his bitter rival can supply a testing battle.
It's a fight and if he puts up a good fight, I will have to shake a man's hand and say you've done well, you tried.
"We're sportsmen, there is no problem," Joshua told Sky Sports. "Credit to him for sticking to his word and taking the fight, and being healthy at the end.
"As I've said, the talking is really irrelevant to me. It's a fight and if he puts up a good fight, I will have to shake a man's hand and say you've done well, you tried."
Whyte's demand for another fight, away from the ring, was dismissed by the Olympic gold medallist, who is only interested in facing him between the ropes.
"He's been bad mouthing me a bit. It's not really the first time I've heard it - it's fine," said Joshua. "He has not said anything which has surprised me.
"I'm not interested in a street fight, I'm just trying to be professional."
Joshua believes his name will always been linked with Whyte, who defeated him in the amateurs, regardless of the result in their second showdown.
"I don't think he will ever be in the past," said Joshua. "He's a good fighter, he talks a good game. I think that he will always be relevant in the heavyweight division. I think as long as I'm relevant then he's relevant - and vice versa.
"It's not big deal, it's only a fight. Why am I stressing. I'm happy that I've got someone I can contend with."
Joshua vs Whyte is exclusively live on Sky Sports Box Office, December 12, and is now available to order via your Sky remote or online.
