If you’re a British boxing aficionado, you probably saw this one coming: Joshua vs Whyte is going to be a Sky Sports Pay Per View event. Top Heavyweight prospects Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte will be unloading bombs in the night’s headliner at the O2 Arena, London, December 12th.
And with a combined record of 30-0 with 27 knockouts, I think it’s pretty clear the judges can put their feet up for this one.
“This is a huge end to a great year for me,” Joshua told Boxing News. “Headlining The O2 and being selected to fight on Sky Sports Box Office is another massive step in my professional career.
“I have been working hard in the gym so I am looking forward to delivering an early Christmas present to all my fans who will be watching at home or live in the arena.”
The fact Joshua has just 14 fights to his name, and hasn’t really fought outside of the domestic scene is both testament to both his massive appeal and the irresistible pull the Heavyweight division still has on the public.
“There’s been a lot of hype around Joshua but in so far as I’m concerned he’s nothing special and I’ve beaten him before,” Whyte said. “I’m going to beat him again in December – this time I’ll knock him spark out. It’s my time to shine.”
If Whyte does that, it would have Upset of the Year written all over it, I’m sure. But Whyte would have to bring his absolute A-game to pull off such a feat against an Olympic Gold medalist who’s built a 100% KO ratio in the pro game.
The highly anticipated Joshua vs Whyte card will also feature a (sort-of) grudge match between Middleweight rivals Chris Eubank Jr and Gary O’Sullivan. And though opponents have not yet been named, a host of British talents such as Tony Bellew, Kevin Mitchell and Luke Campbell will also be doing their bit before Joshua and Whyte square off.
How did you take the news of the Pay Per View price tag? Has it left a bitter taste in your mouth considering you would have had to already fork out for Klitschko vs Fury the week before? Or are you just thinking, ‘meh, this is boxing – I’m used to reaching into my pocket’?
