Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte could have separate return fights before summer rematch in stadium, says Eddie Hearn
ANTHONY JOSHUA and Dillian Whyte could return in separate fights before setting up a summer rematch in a stadium.
AJ was ringside at Wembley Arena to watch Whyte narrowly beat American Jermaine Franklin by majority decision.
Promoter Eddie Hearn previously stated the weekend’s winner would be in line to welcome Joshua back to the ring next year.
But he has not ruled out AJ and Whyte having a pair of fights in early 2023 before rematching in a summer blockbuster.
Hearn said: “They’ve always wanted to fight each other again, it’s 1-1, one from the amateurs one from the pros.
“The second fight, which just seems like a lifetime ago now, was just an epic night and the third one will be as well.
“This time it wouldn’t be at the O2 it would be at Wembley. I think we’ll see what’s next for Dillian.
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“Maybe Dillian has one in February or March and AJ has one in March or whatever and then they meet in the summer at Wembley.
“Or maybe they go straight into it, we’ll talk with everyone and see what’s next.”
The returning heavyweight embraced with Joshua on the ring apron and the pair exchanged fist bumps and some tense words.
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Whyte, 34, said: “He didn’t say anything, he spudded me hard and I told him to relax and asked why he is always so tense.
“He is always in such a confused state at the minute, hopefully he gets his s*** together.”
Joshua, 33, has taken a break from boxing following consecutive defeats to unbeaten Oleksandr Usyk, 35.