By Jake Tiernan: Dillian Whyte has signed & returned the contract for a rematch with Anthony Joshua on August 12 at the O2 Arena in London, England.
This is the fight that Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has been pining for, banking on the rematch with the 35-year-old Whyte (29-3, 19 KOs) attracting significant interest from nostalgic fans.
It could be a massive failure on Hearn’s part, believing that younger fans of this era will want to watch Joshua fight the faded Whyte rather than another fighter from the 15.
Of course, Hearn’s other options, one of them being Agit Kabayel, wouldn’t have interested the UK boxing fans. At least with Whyte, the older fans that remember when his career was still humming along back in 2018 will be happy to see him trotted out as the opponent for Joshua to fight on August 12th.
Nowadays, Whyte has become a weaker-chinned Chisora-esque level heavyweight who has looked awful beyond words in his recent fights against Jermaine Franklin and Tyson Fury.
The last hurdle was removed from the negotiation with the rematch clause that Whyte had issues with being taken out.
Dillian didn’t want the rematch clause because he seems to believe that if he wins, the Saudis would want to use him for their card in December or January rather than AJ.
The likely reality is that even if he beats the 33-year-old Joshua, he WON’T be replacing him for the Saudi’s event. Why? Because Whyte has arguably lost 3 out of his last four fights, he isn’t popular.
The Saudis would want the participants of the event to help promote it by giving interviews during the build-up and actively participating during the press conferences.
Hearn said recently that Whyte says he won’t participate in helping promote his rematch with Joshua.
If the Saudis are hearing that, it’s another reason why they wouldn’t want to use Whyte for their event in December/January. Whyte exhibiting passive/aggressive behavior by refusing to participate in the promotion. That silent treatment won’t work with the Saudis if Whyte chooses not to participate in helping promote the event.
“Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Dillian Whyte close after Whyte signs agreement,” per Sky Sports Boxing. “Anthony Joshua to fight Dillian Whyte in a heavyweight rematch at The O2 on August 12, with the bout closer to an official announcement after Whyte signs the agreement.
Joshua retracted a late request for a rematch clause in his favor earlier this week, removing a significant hurdle.”