The rivalry between British heavyweight boxers Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua spans over a decade, marked by two contrasting encounters and a simmering animosity. Their first clash occurred in the amateur ranks 16 years ago, with Whyte, nicknamed “The Bodysnatcher,” securing a points victory over a relatively inexperienced Joshua who was in the nascent stages of his boxing journey. This initial encounter laid the groundwork for a future steeped in professional competition and personal friction.
The narrative intensified in December 2015 when their paths crossed again, this time in the professional arena, with the vacant British heavyweight title on the line. Joshua, or “AJ,” delivered a resounding seventh-round knockout, handing Whyte his first professional defeat. Despite the conclusive outcome, the fight was not without its drama. Whyte managed to rock Joshua in the second round, momentarily shifting the momentum and underscoring the unpredictable nature of their rivalry. The knockout victory propelled Joshua’s career trajectory while simultaneously fueling Whyte’s desire for redemption.
A highly anticipated rematch, scheduled for August 2023, was unfortunately derailed by Whyte’s adverse finding in a doping test. This unforeseen circumstance led to Finnish heavyweight Robert Helenius stepping in as a replacement, ultimately succumbing to a seventh-round knockout by Joshua. Subsequent investigations cleared Whyte, attributing the adverse finding to a contaminated supplement. While the resolution cleared Whyte to resume his career, the missed opportunity to finally settle the score with Joshua continued to linger.
Following Joshua’s shock knockout defeat at the hands of IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois in September 2023, the landscape of the heavyweight division shifted once again. Whyte, sensing an opportunity to capitalize on Joshua’s setback, publicly expressed his eagerness for a trilogy fight, asserting his belief that he could be the one to send his long-time rival into retirement. Whyte’s return to the ring in December 2023, culminating in a knockout victory against Ebenezer Tetteh in Gibraltar, further solidified his intention to remain active and competitive within the heavyweight division.
Whyte’s conviction stems from his perception of Joshua’s vulnerability following the Dubois loss, coupled with the lingering chemistry between the two rivals. He believes Joshua missed a crucial opportunity by not immediately pursuing a rematch with Dubois, a fight that offered both financial reward and a chance to avenge a devastating loss. Whyte views their rivalry as one built on mutual respect and a shared desire to prove the other wrong, a dynamic that guarantees an exciting and explosive encounter every time they step into the ring.
The future of the Whyte-Joshua trilogy remains uncertain, contingent upon Joshua’s willingness to engage. While promoter Eddie Hearn has publicly suggested the possibility of a Whyte-Joshua clash, the final decision rests with Joshua and his team. Whyte, however, remains steadfast in his desire to face Joshua once more, confident in his ability to not only secure victory but also potentially bring the curtain down on his rival’s career. His recent knockout victory against Tetteh has reinvigorated his momentum, positioning him as a formidable contender in the heavyweight landscape and further fueling the anticipation surrounding a potential third encounter with Joshua.