Joshua vs Breazeale: Dillian Whyte rejects notion of AJ friendship
Thursday 23 June 2016 16:40, UK
Dillian Whyte has told Sky Sports he will not suddenly befriend Anthony Joshua just because the pair now share a promotional company.
'The Body Snatcher' (16-1-KO13) returns from shoulder surgery on the undercard of Joshua's world title defence against Dominic Breazeale on Saturday - live on Sky Sports Box Office from The O2.
Despite Whyte recently joining Matchroom, he has no plans to end the animosity with the IBF heavyweight champion after last December's British title classic ended in a seventh-round stoppage victory for Joshua.
When asked about a possible friendship, Whyte said: "I don't understand why people ask me these stupid questions and I would like you guys not to ask me them any more in the future. It's simple: I don't like him and he doesn't like me.
Let's get it on in nine months or a year's time when my condition has improved and my strength is better. I'm looking forward to it because I'm going to tear him up next time
"We aren't going to turn friends any time soon. We're going to face each other again soon. Who knows after boxing but as long as I'm boxing and he's boxing, he's my enemy and we're at war. It's as simple as that.
"I'm not going to see him and say: 'Yeah. You and me are Matchroom buddies. You beat me.' No. Only losers take that mentality and I'm not a loser, I'm a winner.
"This isn't for the camera. He won the fight but he goes on like he's a bad boy, singing songs and talking rubbish like he wants to fight me outside the ring. It's personal. It's not just boxing rivalry - I don't do hype to sell fights. I believe in what I say and always try and do what I say.
"The score is 1-1. My physical conditioning was terrible [in December]. I had mental conditioning but I had a lot of injuries. I don't want to keep going on about it but I didn't want to let the fans down so I got in there and had it.
"I gave the fans a good fight. With all the problems I had it was still a 50-50 fight until I got exhausted and he stopped me, so let's get it on in nine months or a year's time when my condition has improved and my strength is better.
"I'm looking forward to it because I'm going to tear him up next time."
Whyte's opponent on Saturday is Croatia's Ivica Bacurin (25-9-1-KO15), who has been stopped just twice in his career and has stepped in after several late-notice withdrawals.
"I wanted to come back to a decent opponent - Eddie will tell you that," added Whyte. "Someone at least in the top 50 in the world but I've had eight people or more pull out. Sometimes you've just got to fight who's in front of you.
"This fellow seems to be credible. He's durable. He went the distance with a few decent heavyweights and he also took Tony Bellew 10 rounds.
"I'm not looking to bomb him out - I want to go out there and show what Mark Tibbs and I have been working on and also test out my new conditioning. But you know me, I'm always looking to put someone's lights out."
Watch Dillian Whyte v Ivica Bacurin and Anthony Joshua vs Dominic Breazeale live on Sky Sports Box Office from The O2, June 25. Book the event via your Sky remote or online here.
