.png)
Dillian Whyte Urges Anthony Joshua to Prioritize Their Rematch Over Tyson Fury Showdown
Heavyweight contender Dillian Whyte has urged former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua to prioritize their rematch over a potential showdown with WBC champion Tyson Fury.
After suffering back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua returned to the ring last weekend and won a twelve-round unanimous decision over Jermaine Franklin. Whyte, who defeated Franklin in November, was ringside for the fight.
According to promoter Eddie Hearn, the plan was to match Joshua and Whyte in a summer showdown. However, Joshua is also pushing for a fight with Fury.
Whyte believes that Joshua should focus on their rematch instead, as Fury is unlikely to accept any terms that Joshua could offer. "Fury is not a person to negotiate with, because he'll mess you around," Whyte told Sky Sports. "If he's [Fury] being offered unified heavyweight champion and not taking it, what is Joshua going to offer him to take the fight? Nothing."
Whyte feels that the rematch is the best business move for both fighters. "There is someone here who is willing to fight and ready to go, but for some reason Joshua seems to, and I don't know if it's a tactic of his, brush it under the carpet. I don't know if he just doesn't want to fight me or what, because he knows what my mindset is, I'll come to fight and I carry power in both hands."
Joshua and Whyte have fought once before, in 2015, with Joshua stopping Whyte in the seventh round. However, Whyte holds a win over Joshua from their amateur days.
It remains to be seen whether Joshua will prioritize the rematch or continue to pursue a fight with Fury.