Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn has updated the latest boxing news regarding the ongoing speculation that Dillian Whyte is a prominent candidate for Anthony Joshua to return to the ring against in a rematch of their 2015 fight in London.
Since that night, Joshua has gone on to become a David Beckham of British boxing, competing in a succession of stadium fights, and scalping the likes of Wladimir Klitschko, Alexander Povetkin, and Francis Ngannou through the years.
Whyte, meanwhile, has flirted with world title level, beating Parker, Povertkin, and Jermaine Franklin. He is in need of a bounceback, though, following his brutal, first-round loss to rising star Moses Itauma.
Now, their paths could cross once again with Joshua in need of a stay-busy opponent.
That was never the original plan. After breaking Jake Paul’s face in a crossover bout just before Christmas, Joshua appeared set to head into a similar type of bout against the kickboxing icon Rico Verhoeven. However, following an accident in which the lives of two of his close friends were taken, AJ remains in recovery.
Speaking to Boxing Scene, Hearn clarified that rumors linking Whyte to Joshua are premature, even if he is open to entertaining the match-up.
“[There is] absolutely no truth at all [to that rumor],” Hearn said. “Not one conversation about Dillian Whyte.”
“By the way, I don’t rule out Dillian Whyte, but absolutely never been mentioned in a conversation with me and AJ, and there’s no negotiations – nothing at all.”
Joshua has been training hard, per Hearn, which brings clarity to a possible return date for the hulking fighter. “I think July is a sensible month to target,” he said.
Hearn finished: “We’ve still got to get some clearance from some doctors on his development, but he feels good. I spoke to Joshua last night, and this morning he said, ‘I’ve had a great week. I feel amazing.’ That was his words: ‘I feel amazing.’
“We’ll start planning his next fight very soon.”
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