Dillian Whyte believes Deontay Wilder would be a suitable opponent for Anthony Joshua's next bout, but thinks Joshua is making a hasty return to boxing. Joshua last stepped into the ring in December, defeating YouTuber Jake Paul, before being 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, and Whyte downplayed the possibility of a rematch against his old rival. Whyte stated, 'I'd love it, but no one has approached me, and I think AJ is more likely to face Deontay Wilder now - it's the fight that makes sense.' He added, 'If AJ fights Wilder, he'll likely sell out the event and knock Wilder out.' Joshua is expected to face Tyson Fury later this year in a highly anticipated all-British heavyweight showdown. A potential meeting with Wilder beforehand could jeopardize these plans, and Whyte thinks Joshua should take more time to recover.
Whyte said, 'I'm a risky opponent for him too, but you have to consider the circumstances. The Tyson Fury fight is a big one - let's see how his mind and mentality are after everything he's been through. I personally think he's returning to the ring too soon.' Whyte, who suffered a first-round knockout defeat to Moses Itauma in August last year, admitted his performance was not representative of his true abilities.
He stated, 'One hundred percent, it wasn't me in that fight. Anyone with a brain can see that. But it is what it is - sometimes things don't go as planned, and you have to move on.' Whyte has fought just three times since 2022, including his loss to Itauma, but dismissed suggestions that he is considering retirement. He said, 'No, because I know who I am and what I'm capable of.
I know I can still compete at the top level. I just need to be more mindful, learn from my mistakes, and ensure certain things don't happen again.'