The return of Anthony Joshua is now certain, even though the date and opponent remain shrouded in mystery. Images posted by AJ himself, showing him training alongside unified world champion Oleksandr Usyk, have fueled speculation about the identity of his next opponent, with Dillian Whyte emerging as a concrete possibility. However, Matchroom, through its CEO Frank Smith, has now denied the reports.
Asked by BoxingScene about the truth behind the Joshua vs Whyte rumors, Smith stated:
“Not really. I mean, I don’t believe so, [that Whyte could be next]. Anything can happen in boxing, but I don’t believe so.”
Smith then clarified that Joshua’s team is currently focused solely on his full recovery, and that decisions regarding the date and nature of his next official bout will only be made once the fighter proves he is ready:
“The key is getting him into a position to actually know when he’s ready, rather than picking a date before we know that. That’s the focus right now.”
“It would be great to get him back out in the summer, but he’s back in full training now, so that’ll be how he gets himself back in there. He’s obviously been ticking over, but it’s very different to what he’s been doing. He’s got to be right, he’s got to be prepared and ready, so hopefully we get some news soon on that.”
Joshua and Whyte have already faced each other twice in the past. Their first meeting took place in the amateurs in 2009 and ended with a points victory for Whyte. AJ avenged that loss in the professional ranks in 2015, knocking his compatriot out in the seventh round with a devastating uppercut to the chin.
Rumors of a potential third clash between the two heavyweights have not generated much enthusiasm among fans. With his recent performances, Whyte has given the clear impression of being a fighter in decline, and in August of last year the young Moses Itauma needed just two minutes to knock him out.
On the other hand, considering the profound psychological trauma suffered by Joshua—who lost two close friends in a very serious car accident in Nigeria and miraculously escaped unharmed—it is likely that the British heavyweight’s return will not be overly risky. After all, a defeat would definitively derail the long-anticipated showdown between Joshua and Tyson Fury, which after countless delays now seems finally on the horizon.