Anthony Joshua in line for Dillian Whyte rematch this March at Principality Stadium after Andy Ruiz win
ANTHONY JOSHUA is in line for an epic Battle of Britain rematch against Dillian Whyte in his next fight. Joshua reclaimed his three world title belts with a points victory over Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night. The WBO said Joshua must now face mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk. But a Spring mega-fight […]
ANTHONY JOSHUA is in line for an epic Battle of Britain rematch against Dillian Whyte in his next fight.
Joshua reclaimed his three world title belts with a points victory over Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.
The WBO said Joshua must now face mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk.
But a Spring mega-fight against Kubrat Pulev at Spurs’ new stadium is also being lined up.
BBC boxing, however, claim that a mouthwatering rematch against Whyte in March could be next on Joshua’s agenda.
Respected journalist Steve Bunce said: “Dillian Whyte at Wembley next year makes all the sense in the world.
“Ukad have cleared him, Whyte and Joshua have got an old beef – that’s perfect.”
Whyte’s doping violation was dropped the day before he beat Mariusz Wach on points on the undercard of Joshua’s Clash on the Dunes.
The Body Snatcher beat Joshua as an amateur in 2009.
His only defeat in 28 professional fights was a seventh-round knockout by AJ at the O2 in December 2015.
With Joshua pencilled in to fight again in March, Cardiff’s Principality Stadium seems the more likely option.
Holding a heavyweight bout outside in March – such as is being suggested at Wembley – poses obvious problems with the weather.
And Wembley is one of the host stadiums for next summer’s Euros.
Joshua has fought at the home of Welsh rugby twice before, beating Carlos Takam in October 2017 and Joseph Parker in March the next year.
Joshua, the WBA, WBO and IBF king, would prefer to fight old enemy Whyte over all others.
Speaking of his next bout, Joshua said: “It would be mega. Looking at how many people came out here shows there’s still a big interest in the heavyweight division, especially now we are taking the belts back.
“To defend them back on home soil would be big news.
‘BETTER FIGHTING A BRIT’
“It would be better against another Brit but, if not, I will follow my mandatory and crack on that way.
“The work begins again because around March I’ll be defending those titles again.
“I’m already focusing on my next fight.”
Joshua’s next bout will come the month after WBC champion Deontay Wilder battles Tyson Fury in a rematch.
But the Brit says he will only contemplate taking on the American once the Fury fight is over.
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He said: “Once their rematch is out the way they can start mentioning my name.
“I can’t keep on fighting all the champions, the best in the division and then other people who say they want to step up don’t step up.
“All challengers are welcome to take on this current unified champion.”