British heavyweight Dillian Whyte has set his sights on a third showdown with Anthony Joshua, promising to retire his long-time rival.
The pair’s rivalry dates back 16 years when Whyte defeated a then-inexperienced Joshua in an amateur bout. Their animosity resurfaced in 2015 when Joshua secured the British heavyweight title with a dramatic seventh-round knockout of Whyte, who had stunned Joshua earlier in the fight before suffering his first professional defeat.
A highly anticipated rematch was scheduled for August 2023 but was canceled after Whyte returned an adverse doping test. Finnish boxer Robert Helenius replaced him, only to be knocked out in seven rounds. Whyte was later cleared to fight after it was determined the test result was caused by a contaminated supplement.
Joshua, now 35, is expected to return to the ring following a shocking knockout loss to IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois last September. Whyte has declared his readiness to face Joshua again, claiming he is “finished” after his loss to Dubois.
Speaking to Sky Sports Boxing, Whyte said, “If he wants to fight, all they have to do is call me. I’m always ready for AJ. No problem. Personally, I think he’s finished. Skipping the rematch with Dubois was a mistake—it was a world title fight, a great payday, and his chance for redemption.”
Whyte believes their rivalry guarantees excitement: “We have that chemistry. I don’t want to lose to him, he doesn’t want to lose to me, and we both want to prove each other wrong. It’ll always be a good fight. Eddie [Hearn] has mentioned Joshua could fight me next, but it’s up to them. I’d love to retire him.”
The 36-year-old Whyte returned to the ring in December, knocking out Ebenezer Tetteh in Gibraltar. Eager to fight again soon, he is expected to announce his next opponent and fight date in the coming weeks.
