Whyte Advises Anthony Joshua Against Rushing Back to the Ring: 'A Fight with Wilder Makes the Most Sense'

Dillian Whyte believes that Deontay Wilder would be a suitable opponent for Anthony Joshua's next bout, but thinks Joshua is rushing back into the ring too quickly. Joshua's last fight was in December, and he has since been involved in a car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends. Following his victory over Derek Chisora, Wilder expressed interest in facing 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. That's the fight that makes the most sense.' He also predicted that Joshua would defeat Wilder, saying, 'If AJ fights Wilder, he'll sell out the venue and probably knock him out.' Joshua is expected to face Tyson Fury later this year in a highly anticipated all-British heavyweight matchup. However, a fight against Wilder beforehand could jeopardize those plans, and Whyte thinks Joshua should take more time to recover. Whyte said, '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.' Whyte also reflected on his own recent defeat to Moses Itauma, saying, 'That wasn't the real me in the ring. Sometimes things don't go as planned, and you just have to move on.' Despite his recent loss, Whyte waved away suggestions that he is considering retirement, saying, 'I know who I am and what I'm capable of. I can still compete at the top level; I just need to learn from my mistakes and be more mindful.'