Dillian Whyte wants to face Anthony Joshua next, but he has questioned whether the world champion’s team will take the risk of a rematch.
Whyte knocked out Derek Chisora last weekend to stake his claim for a second fight against Joshua, who is due to defend his WBA ‘super’, IBF and WBO belts at Wembley on April 13.
But Joshua’s priority of agreeing an undisputed heavyweight title fight against WBC champion Deontay Wilder remains a barrier for Whyte, and was the cause of a post-fight dispute between the old rivals.
Speaking on Soccer AM, Whyte again spoke of his desire for another battle with Joshua, but suggested the unified champion’s team recognise he is a much-improved fighter since his seventh-round stoppage loss three years ago.
“We’ve been trying to make the fight behind the scenes for a while. We’ve been trying to speak. We were meant to hear after Wilder and Tyson Fury, what’s happening, but we’ve heard nothing,” he said.
Asked why it is not happening, Whyte replied: “I don’t know, this is a business, and he’s thinking Dillian is a potential problem, there’s other easier paydays out there, so let’s see.
“It will happen eventually but I think it should happen now, because I’m in a good place now. Last time we fought I had a lot of issues, injuries and stuff, and I almost nailed him last time. I think he’s seen my power is returning, I’m getting in better physical shape, I’m much more composed, as crazy as I was a couple years ago!
“He might want to fight, I want to fight, but I think his team is looking at it thinking: ‘You know what, we don’t need this Dillian Whyte smoke right now’.
“I want to fight Joshua, we’ve got history, this would be the third time. He’s won one, I’ve won one. This would be the decider.”