Whyte advises Anthony Joshua to wait before returning to the ring, citing a potential Wilder showdown

According to Dillian Whyte, Deontay Wilder is the logical choice for Anthony Joshua's next opponent, but he believes Joshua is rushing back into boxing too quickly. Joshua's last fight was in December, and he was recently 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 fighting Joshua, while Whyte downplayed the possibility of a rematch against his old rival. Whyte stated, 'I'd love to fight AJ, but no one has approached me about it, and I think he's more likely to face Deontay Wilder now. It's a fight that makes sense, and if AJ fights Wilder, he'll likely win by knockout.' Joshua is expected to face Tyson Fury later this year in a highly anticipated all-British heavyweight bout. However, a potential meeting with Wilder beforehand could jeopardize those plans, and Whyte thinks Joshua should take more time to recover. Whyte noted, 'I'm a risky opponent for him as well, but you have to consider the circumstances. The Tyson Fury fight is a big one, and AJ should focus on that for now. He's been through a lot lately, and I think he's getting back in the ring too soon. He needs time to process and come to terms with what's happened. Losing loved ones in a car accident is a heavy burden, and AJ should prioritize his mental well-being.' Whyte is still undecided about his next steps after suffering a first-round knockout defeat to Moses Itauma in August last year. He acknowledged that his performance in Saudi Arabia was not representative of his true abilities, saying, 'It wasn't me in that fight. Anyone with common sense can see that. Sometimes things don't go as planned, and you just have to move on.' Despite fighting only three times since 2022, including his loss to Itauma, Whyte waved off suggestions of retirement, stating, 'I know who I am and what I'm capable of. I can still compete at the top level; I just need to be more mindful and learn from my mistakes.'