Dillian Whyte ‘SIGNS’ Anthony Joshua fight contract for August 12 at O2 Arena after breakthrough in talks
DILLIAN WHYTE has reportedly SIGNED a contract to fight Anthony Joshua on August 12 at the O2 Arena.
Initially, Whyte was left fuming as the deal included a rematch clause, meaning he would be tied down to another bout with AJ if he won.
And Joshua is currently negotiating a super-fight in Saudi Arabia against Deontay Wilder in December.
So Whyte wanted the chance to inherit the Middle East blockbuster if he was to beat AJ.
Eventually, Joshua’s team agreed to take out the rematch clause in a bid to get the Battle of Britain over the line.
And according to Sky Sports, Whyte has signed and returned the contract with an official announcement set to confirm the fight.
The history between the two dates back to 2009 when they first shared the ring in an amateur contest.
Whyte won the bout and it carried the feud into the professional ranks, setting up a grudge match in 2015.
It was there Joshua got his revenge with a seventh-round stoppage and five months later he became world champion for the first time.
Whyte, 35, would have to wait until last April to challenge for heavyweight gold but he was beaten by Tyson Fury, 34.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
He returned last November against Jermaine Franklin, where the winner was promised Joshua, 33, next.
Whyte edged out a tight majority decision but still it was Franklin, 29, who welcomed AJ back to the ring.
Coming off consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk, 36, Joshua got back to winning ways on points against the American in April.
It was his first under new coaching Derrick James and promoter Hearn wanted the pair to have one more before facing Wilder, 37.
Joshua is back in Dallas training with James while Whyte is also in camp Stateside as the rematch looms large.