Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte rematch announced for summer date in London
Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte will meet in their long-awaited rematch back at the spot where they first met as professionals in 2015 when they clash at The O2 on August 12.
The heavyweight's first meeting took place back in December of 2015. The Olympic gold medalist won by knockout on the night, launching him into the world title picture after picking up British, Commonwealth and International honours.
And the pair's meeting in August is something of a trilogy, with the pair having also met in their amateur days. Back then, it was Whyte who got the better of it, winning a three-round decision to hand Joshua his first defeat in a boxing ring, spurring him on to success in the amateurs and the professional ranks.
Joshua turned down the opportunity for a world title clash with Tyson Fury in order to make the Whyte fight happen, and is expected to face Deontay Wilder in a big-money bout this December should he win. He and Wilder will meet in Saudi Arabia in one of the biggest fights of 2023 after years of trying to make a deal.
And the two-time champion feels there's more "swag" in a fight with Whyte than with Fury, telling GQ in a YouTube video: "It has to be Dillian Whyte. South London, North London. Fury's good, but he's a Manchester boy. I think Dillian has more swag in general, but he's come up short a few times."
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In another part of the video, a picture is shared of Whyte and Joshua running into each other in London, with fans asking what was said between the pair. Joshua claims that Whyte said, "Bruv, can you see I'm in Black Air Forces, bruv. I'm not messing about with you, you know, bruv. I want that fight."
However, he then tells the true story, adding: "No, I'm joking. Dillian's cool, Dillian's only messing about. This was just after his fight with Fury, he was just explaining to me what he had been through. From that picture, it looks like he's putting me under pressure, but I'm under no pressure there. I'll still smoke Dillian anyway."
Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte last fought in 2015 (Getty Images)Are you excited for Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte 2? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
Whyte and Joshua share a common last opponent, both winning drab decisions against Jermaine Franklin. Many fans felt that Whyte may have even lost last November, before his rival completely dominated him the following April but failed to impress or land the stoppage that was expected.
"I didn't think he looked particularly good," Whyte said on the night. "He seemed a bit apprehensive, any time Franklin made a feint like he was going to hit him he was apprehensive. Obviously the right hand is still there and the boxing skills stay there but the aggression is gone.
"The difference is in the last two rounds I went after Franklin, he didn't. He was very apprehensive in the last two rounds, but that's where we're different. I'll always have a go, win lose or draw I'll have a go!"
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