By Gav Duthie: I have to give credit to Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Promotions for creating an interesting show on Sept 12 involving Anthony Joshua 13-0 (13) and Dillian Whyte 15-0 (12) at the O2 arena in London. Joshua and Whyte are heavy favorites to win in separate bouts but are on a collision course to fight each other. Despite this there is an outside chance that Gary Cornish or Brian Minto could win their fights and spoil the party.
It is a risk from Matchroom to put Joshua in with a hungry contender and Whyte with a seasoned veteran but I feel it is the right decision. There must have been a temptation to go easy. In the press conference Whyte was at it with Joshua and their future fight is building itself. It didn’t really matter who they fought tomorrow but if either loses the Joshua-Whyte fight is over, can this actually happen?
Gary Cornish 21-0 (12)
Gary ‘The Highlander’ Cornish is coming here to win. The giant Scot has said he is bigger than Joshua and heavier than Joshua so why should he be afraid of him. I absolutely agree he is undefeated in 21 bouts and knocked out 8 from his last 9. He is improving with every fight as he increasingly steps up the competition. He usually boxes at range and can switch between southpaw and orthodox. Joshua will look to back him up and should do so but this will be his toughest fight so far. I am hopeful that we will see both chins tested at the very least.
Joshua KO 3
Brian Minto 41-9 (26)
Minto is 40 years old and a good late replacement for Dominic Guinn. The boxer from New Zealand has flirted with the top level since he came from behind on the cards to knock out Vinny Maddalone to go 18-0 (11) in 2004. He has generally only lost to top level contenders like Artur Spilzka, Joseph Parker, Chris Arreola and Marco Huck. With a bit of discipline he could possibly have been a top contender at cruiserweight and has fought there in the past. Minto always comes to fight. He will look to come under Whyte’s jab and push him back with hooks and uppercuts. I have respect for Minto but he will be walking onto some big shots from Whyte and will likely be stopped mid rounds.
Whyte KO 6
Joshua v Whyte
I don’t expect either fighter to be derailed tomorrow but the fights are undoubtedly good enough to create a seed of doubt. Hearn is doing a good job building this up and should be a massive fight at the end of the year which I actually fancy Whyte to win.
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