Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte (and the ubiquitous Eddie Hearn) at a press conference on Monday. Photo: Getty Images/Paul Harding
Anthony Joshua acknowledged that Dillian Whyte is just a “body in the way” in a “battle to be won” and not the arch-rival he was seven years ago.The two British heavyweights will rekindle their long-running feud at the sold-out O2 Arena in London on August 12, but Joshua insists it's no longer personal but just business as he intends to set up a $60 million bout with American Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia. Arabia in December.
Both Joshua and White bounced back with points wins over the same American opponent, Jermaine Franklin.
At Monday's press conference, Joshua also landed a side kick on WBC champion Tyson Fury from for his “shenanigans” with WBO, IBF and WBA belt holder Oleksandr Usyk, and insisted that he keep an eye on White and Wilder and that pot of gold on the Middle East horizon. /p>
“I am definitely ready to fight. There are a lot of names in the division, but look what this fight does,” Joshua said. “This fight is good. White is no longer a rival, I don't see him that way. He's just another body in the way.”
“Forget Wilder and the others,” added the former two-time heavyweight champion, now 33. “They have puzzled me for years. Now you've seen the shenanigans that go on in the heavyweight division. I don't look at him as an opponent, I just think of myself. Stay in my lane and do what I need to do. I'm here now and I'm ready to rock and roll. I don't care what people think and say about me.”
To read what else the two fighters had to say, go here.
When will the fight take place and at what time?
Rivals of the British heavyweights will meet in a duel on Saturday, August 12.
The start time of the main fight has not yet been officially announced. announced, but the undercard is likely to start around 18:00.
Walking around the ring from the main attractions should start around 22:00.
Who is on the undercard
The undercard roster has yet to be announced but will be updated here when it is available.< /p>Where is it?
The British heavyweight contenders will fight at the O2 in London, the same venue where they first met in 2015.
How can I watch this in the UK?
The fight is broadcast live on DAZN pay-per-view in the UK. It will set you back £26.99 and, yes, that means fans who are already subscribed to the streaming service will have to pay extra to watch the fight. A subscription to DAZN currently costs £9.99 per month, provided viewers sign up for a 12-month period. Alternatively, spectators can purchase a £19.99 Flex Pass, which can be canceled with 30 days' notice.
What are the boxers saying?
White and Joshua are now heavyweight boxers, not the rookies who fought seven years ago when AJ was the winner. But so much depends on this performance by Joshua. The pair have a long and bitter history: They first fought as amateurs in 2009 when White won a decision before AJ stopped The Body Snatcher in the seventh round of the thriller in December 2015 for the British and Commonwealth titles. /p>
The risk that Joshua has taken in this contest has created an exciting danger associated with this event, and combined with the ongoing feud, the contest has received support since it was signed last week. It was Joshua who pushed for the rematch even though his promoter Eddie Hearn would be happy to have his fighter come through.
Indeed, the Wilder fight will likely be canceled if Joshua loses. In the meantime, White could project himself into becoming a contender for victory again by losing to Tyson Fury for the WBC title in April 2021 at Wembley Stadium.
Joshua hinted that he would be boxing rather than going head-to-head with his opponent. “Now I am meditating on my performance. Boxing is based on the basics. There are two ways to skin a cat. Whichever way I want to go, I will do it. Everything I say today is irrelevant. When the bell rings, it's all about it.”
Meanwhile, White kept his anger at Hearn's promoter, explaining, “I want three things from boxing. I want to avenge my losses, which obviously belong to Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. I want to become world champion. And I also want to earn some money. I have no money, I'm broke, I want that money from AJ.”
August 12, Joshua will be in danger in a fight that promoter Hearn never wanted for his big name. , but which encourages the former champion to fight for the right to show off, which will determine several upcoming competitions. However, Joshua, if he wants to face Wilder or even Fury, must win. You lose, and there is no room for maneuver. Not for the biggest fights. Quite simply.
What are the odds?
- Anthony Joshua 1/5
- Dillian Whyte 20/1
- Draw 5/1
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