‘Fight we all want’ – Anthony Joshua in line to rematch Dillian Whyte in summer 2023 stadium fight, reveals Eddie Hearn
ANTHONY JOSHUA and Dillian Whyte are in line to rematch in a stadium next year.
The pair of heavyweight rivals are both facing rebuilding jobs having suffered recent defeats.
Twice Joshua, 32, was bettered on points by Oleksandr Usyk, 35, most recently in Saudi Arabia.
Whereas Whyte, 34, is yet to return since a knockout loss to Tyson Fury, 34, in April when making his first world title challenge.
Separate comeback fights are expected to follow of the beaten duo before setting up a blockbuster rematch in the summertime.
Hearn told The Metro: “For sure, it is a fight we all want.
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“The two biggest fights out there away from the world title fight are the Dillian Whyte fight which must happen.
“It is a huge stadium fight next summer. The other is the Deontay Wilder fight which is arguably the biggest fight in boxing – even bigger than Fury vs Usyk, in all honesty.
“Two big fights and whoever has the belts at the of the summer, we will also be targeting.”
Wilder, 36, returns to the ring on October 15 against ex-sparring partner Robert Helenius, 38.
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It will be his first fight since losing to Fury in their October 2021 trilogy bout classic.
Both Hearn and Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel have opened the door to a super-fight between the American and Joshua.
But opposing promotional and TV networks make negotiations harder, like was the case in the past, so talks with Whyte are easier.
Hearn admitted: “The Dillian Whyte fight is definitely easier to make than the Wilder fight.
“But they are, as always, going to be wanted to be paid as much money as possible.
“But I think it is quite easy for me to make that fight. AJ wants that fight, Dillian wants that fight and that’s a fight we will definitely see next summer.”
Joshua’s history with Whyte dates back to their amateur days in 2009, when he lost on points.
But AJ gained revenge in the professional ranks six years later with a brutal uppercut KO.