Anthony Joshua Talks Dillian Whyte Rematch, Knockout and Post-Bell Punch

Anthony Joshua says he’d be keen for a rematch with Dillian Whyte, who gave the now-British heavyweight champion the first real test of his professional career on Saturday night.

Joshua hadn’t seen past the third round in his 14 previous bouts, but Whyte took and landed some huge blows at the O2 Arena before his resistance was finally broken in the seventh, as Laceupboxing's video shows:

It was a fantastic battle between two excellent fighters, and it seems Joshua shares that opinion. When asked who he’d fight next, the champion said he’d like to get back in the ring with Whyte—via Richard Cawley of South London Press:

“Probably Dillian again. I enjoyed it—it was a good fight. I’d like to fight him again and see if he can give me a few more rounds. Dillian has done that, so why not do it again?”

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Joshua needs a few more gruelling fights under his belt before taking on the elite, as he appears on collision course with the likes of Tyson Fury.

BT Sport’s Ian Darke said the fact that Whyte took him seven rounds is nothing but a good thing:

It did look as if Whyte would be the man clutching the belt at the final bell, as he had Joshua on the ropes several times. 

Still, the favourite managed to pull through and expressed his happiness with the knockout: "Talk is cheap—you have got to back it up. I hurt him in the first round and he hurt me in the second round. It was a matter of who had more grit, determination and skill. I’m really pleased I came through and proved a few things.”

There was no love lost between the pair from the very opening round, as the pair exchanged cheeky blows after the first bell.

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But Joshua remained unfazed by the whole episode, saying it’s just the nature of the beast:

“It’s not like this is golf. It’s fighting, it’s what you expect. You have got real bad blood on the night.”

Whyte, however, was a little less reserved when asked about the incident, saying: “I’m not going to let anyone beat down on me. He hit me after the bell, I retaliated—I ain’t no punk.”

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Such a fiery attitude was typical of the fight itself, which no boxing fan would begrudge having to sit through again.

Joshua needs time before going up against the best in the business, and Whyte’s tenacity and professionalism make him a very good stopgap for the south Londoner.

The Fury fight will surely happen eventually, but Joshua knows he needs to be fully prepared to dethrone his countryman. A rematch with Whyte is a good place to start on the road to Fury.