British Heavyweight prospect Anthony Joshua will be returning to the ring in November or December to take on Dillian Whyte. Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, has said the unbeaten Whyte is a legitimate test for Joshua and will be coming to upset the odds in the British Heavyweight title match-up.
“The moment Anthony Joshua turned pro I knew this fight would happen,” Hearn said to Sky Sports.
“I’ve been in talks with Dillian for the last couple of months and originally it was penciled in for September 12 but he picked up that hand injury and his trainer was involved in an accident and not having boxed since February it would’ve been the wrong move for him to go into a fight like this ill-prepared.”
Joshua, who is one of Hearn’s most marketable, lucrative fighters, is undefeated in 13 fights which have all ended in rather brutal fashion. Joshua’s latest victim was Kevin Johnson, a US journeyman who was nonetheless expected to give Joshua ’rounds’. He didn’t, and was blasted out inside two very violent, concussive rounds, earning Joshua a place in our Hardest Punchers in Boxing.
Those who follow the Heavyweight scene, certainly the British, won’t consider Whyte as a truly serious threat. But one has to acknowledge that Whyte has skills, can fight, and looks to be the best boxer Joshua will have faced in the pro ranks. Whyte also holds a 2009 win over Joshua in the Amateurs – so expect the footage (if it exists) to start going viral on the internet at any given second.
Hearn went on to say he expects Whyte to make the most of the domestic dust-up, and that the public will be witness to a true rivalry.
“[Whyte] has got the chance to fight on Sky and build up to a huge domestic grudge match that by the time it comes around will be a major sporting event. I think it is Joshua’s toughest test in and out of the ring.
“The rivalry is real and I could see that in the negotiations and Dillian will be trying to press all the buttons to get under his skin.
“You will see a different side of Anthony Joshua in this fight, especially outside the ring. The build-up will be fierce.”
Whyte is unbeaten, but we shouldn’t get too excited about the fact. The scalps claimed on his 14-0, 11 KO record aren’t worth mentioning particularly, and actually pale next Joshua’s – which is really saying something. That’s not necessarily a dig at either man, but more a reflection of the current Heavyweight landscape in general – certainly at domestic level.
Whyte has the physical attributes of a good Heavyweight, standing just two inches shorter than the 6′ 6″ Joshua. Whyte has won his last 10 fights inside the distance, with no opponent lasting beyond 4 rounds (Joshua’s are yet to go beyond 3). We will soon find out if Whyte has the tools to trouble one of Britain’s biggest rising stars.
What do you think? Could Joshua vs Whyte be a real test – finally – for Britain’s Heavyweight hope? Or is Whyte just another KO victim set to fall inside 3?
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