Commentator Sergio Mora likes the idea of Anthony Joshua fighting the old veteran Dillian Whyte next. Mora feels that’s a good matchup for the former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) because he’s “felt his power” before, when they fought in 2015.
Sergio thinks it’s a bad idea for Joshua, 35, to face Jared Anderson (18-1, 15 KOs) because it would be a “tricky” fight for AJ. Anderson throws combinations and moves well around the ring. Joshua wouldn’t be able to count on him weighing in the 260s, being slow and ponderous like he would if he fought 37-year-old Whyte (31-3, 21 KOs).
AJ’s “Antique” Career Stage
Jared Anderson and Whyte were both mentioned as options for Joshua’s next fight. He needs a notable opponent that he has a good chance of beating, and those two meet the requirements. Joshua isn’t going to fight one of the young killers, like Moses Itauma, Richard Torrez Jr., or Dainier Pero.
He’d likely lose to all of them. I hate to say it, but Joshua is an antique at this stage of his career. He couldn’t be paired with younger fighters of equal ability or power, because he’d likely lose. We saw what happened to AJ last September when the badly flawed Daniel Dubois blew him out in five rounds. He made Dubois look like pure gold in that fight.
I wouldn’t want to see Joshua fight Whyte. That’s an awful fight, but the Brits are sentimental and would likely love a fight between AJ and Dillian.
“What do you think of the idea of AJ returning against Jared Anderson or Dillian Whyte?” said commentator Chris Mannix to DAZN about two fighters that have been mentioned as possible opponents for Anthony Joshua to fight next.
Joshua’s Tricky Anderson Fight
“It depends on which one he’s going to come back with,” said Sergio Mora. “I think Anderson is going to be a tricky fight for AJ. So, I wouldn’t recommend that he fight him first. Dillian Whyte, is who he should fight first. Even though Dillian Whyte is on a scary trajectory right now, he’s on a run right now. He’s winning some fights. He deserves that fight.”
Jared Anderson would pose a problem for Joshua due to his combination punching, youth, and movement. Although he was blown out in five rounds by an in-shape Martin Bakole last August, he landed a lot of punches in that fight that would have done a number if the chinny Joshua were getting hit by them. Anderson is going to get his pound of flesh before he’s stopped, and I can’t see AJ being able to withstand the blows from the big 6’4′ American.
Whyte’s Fake “Run”
“Dillian Whyte’s on a run right now, but he’s already been beaten. So, there’s some familiarity right now with Anthony Joshua. So, if you are going to take those two fights, go for Dillian Whyte. He’s long in the tooth. He has momentum, but you’ve already been in the ring with him. You felt that power.”
Whyte’s recent three-fight run is nothing special because he’s fought three lower-level tomato cans to rebuild after being blown out in six rounds by Tyson Fury in 2022. Dillian’s last fight against journeyman Ebenezer Tetteh last December, he looked out of shape, old, and completely shot. Based on that performance, Whyte wouldn’t beat British domestic-level heavyweights Dave Allen or Johnny Fisher.
“So, go after Dillian Whyte, which I love that fight at this stage of Joshua’s career. Then, of course, that Anderson fight, just experience and size alone, should be enough. Those are two good fights, and I love the fact that Joshua is still looking in that direction. The old road warriors, the veterans. And then, of course, the young hungry guys with the high aspirations like Anderson.
A fight between Joshua and the 37-year-old Whyte wouldn’t be well-received by fans in the UK and the U.S., due to Whyte’s past problems involving drug accusations. Moreover, his age, poor showing in his knockout loss to Tyson Fury, and the subpar opposition he has faced since make him a questionable option for Joshua.
Whyte’s Last Three Wins:
– Ebenezer Tetteh: Journeyman
– Christian Hammer: Same
– Jermaine Franklin: Questionable win