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

Boxer Dillian Whyte has expressed concerns that Anthony Joshua is planning to return to the ring too soon, suggesting that a fight against Deontay Wilder would be a sensible next step for the former heavyweight world champion. Joshua's last bout 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, while Whyte downplayed the possibility of a rematch against his old rival. 'I'd love to fight AJ, but no one has approached me about it, and I think he's more likely to face Wilder now - it's the fight that makes sense,' Whyte told Sky Sports. Whyte believes Joshua would emerge victorious against Wilder, saying, 'If AJ fights Wilder, he'll sell out the venue and knock him out, I think.' 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, and Whyte thinks Joshua should take more time to recover. 'I'm a risky opponent for him too, but you have to consider the circumstances,' said Whyte, who was stopped by Joshua in the seventh round of their 2015 fight. '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 rushing back into the ring too soon.' Whyte feels that Joshua needs more time to process his recent experiences, including the loss of his friends in the car accident. 'It's a heavy loss, not something light - it's a traumatic experience, and he needs time to digest it,' Whyte said. Whyte is still to confirm 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 was not representative of his true abilities, saying, 'It wasn't me - anyone with a brain can see that.' Whyte has fought just three times since 2022, including his loss to Itauma, but he dismisses suggestions that he is considering retirement. 'No, I know who I am and what I'm capable of - I can still operate at the top level, I just need to learn from my mistakes and be more mindful,' he added.