Whyte Advises Joshua to Postpone His Return: Wilder Fight 'Makes Sense'

Dillian Whyte believes that Anthony Joshua is rushing back into the ring too quickly and suggests that a bout against Deontay Wilder would be a sensible next step. Joshua's last fight was in December, and he has since been involved in a fatal car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends. Following his victory over Derek Chisora, Wilder expressed interest in facing Joshua, prompting Whyte to downplay the possibility of a rematch against his old rival. Whyte stated, 'I'd love it, but no one has mentioned it to me, and I think AJ is likely looking to fight Deontay Wilder now. It's the fight that makes sense. If AJ fights Wilder, he'll sell out the venue and probably knock Wilder out.' Joshua is expected to face Tyson Fury later this year in a highly anticipated all-British heavyweight showdown. However, a meeting with Wilder beforehand could jeopardize these plans, leading Whyte to advise Joshua to take more time to recover. 'I think he's getting back in the ring too soon,' Whyte said. 'He needs more time to process and come to terms with what's happened. Losing loved ones in a car crash is a heavy loss, and he should prioritize his mental well-being.' Whyte is still determining his next steps after suffering a first-round knockout defeat to Moses Itauma in August last year. He acknowledges that his performance in Saudi Arabia did not reflect his true abilities, saying, 'It wasn't me. Anyone with a brain can see that.' Whyte has fought only three times since 2022 and dismisses suggestions of retirement, stating, 'I know who I am, and I know I can still compete at the top level. I just need to learn from my mistakes and ensure they don't happen again.'