Anthony Joshua is eager knock out a former foe for a second time.
It seems bizarre that the biggest name in boxing’s heavyweight division would be so keen to go back several years to territory he’s already conquered but who are we to question ‘AJ’?
Joshua seems obsessed with making a rematch with Dillian Whyte come to fruition, despite the fact he beat Whyte comprehensively in 2015.
Ever the professional, it’s unlikely that Joshua is looking past upcoming opponent Joseph Parker but the London 2012 Olympic gold medallist has made no secret of his desire for a rematch with Whyte.
Whyte famously earned a victory over Joshua on the amateur circuit and provided ‘AJ’ with the first scare of his professional career when they put their undefeated records on the line three years ago.
But Joshua came through that test unscathed and stopped ‘The Body Snatcher’ in the seventh round, claiming the vacant British heavyweight title in the process.
Joshua came face to face with Whyte, who will defend his WBC Silver heavyweight title against Lucas Browne next month, at an event at London’s O2 Arena last weekend and while the pair shook hands at ringside, there’s definitely unfinished business between them.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed just how adamant Joshua is on the Whyte fight.
“I saw the stuff at the end that you showed when he talked about fighting and they shook hands and ‘AJ’ text me after the show,” Hearn told iFL TV.
“It was probably about half 1 in the morning and said: ‘I shook Dillian’s hand tonight’ and then he said: ‘That will be a great fight, number two will be a great fight’… something like that.
“And I said: ‘Yeah tough fight against Lucas Browne.’
“I can’t tell you how much ‘AJ’ wants to fight Dillian again.
“It’s so strange that you’ve got a guy there who is the unified heavyweight champion of the world and soon to be undisputed who wants to fight the guy he already beat.
“‘AJ’ is consistently saying to me: ‘I want to fight Dillian Whyte again.’ He loved that fight, he loved it!”
