Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte rematch made official – eight years after last clash

Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte will go head-to-head in an eight-year-old rematch when they meet at the O2 Arena on August 12.

The British heavyweights have fought each other twice in the past, with Joshua knocking out Whyte in 2015 after the latter defeated “AJ” during the pair’s amateur career.

Now the old rivals will clash once again in London as Joshua looks to stay on course for a winter bout with Deontay Wilder.

“I knew it was my plan to be active this year,” Joshua said Thursday. “August 12th is the date I will be ready to fight. I’m looking forward to doing business.” Meanwhile, Whyte said: “I’m looking forward to returning to London’s O2 and going to war. It’s 1-1, so that’s the decision!”

Joshua (33) and Whyte (35) will both enter the fight based on their decider victories over Jermaine Franklin. AJ referenced the American in April after Whyte did the same in November.

These results provided much-needed victory for both Britons; By defeating Franklin, Joshua bounced back from back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, while Whyte was defeated by Tyson Fury in their previous fight.

Joshua’s first loss to Usyk in September 2021 saw the 33-year-old lose the unified heavyweight titles that Usyk retained in the rematch last August. The undefeated Ukrainian won both competitions on points. Meanwhile, Whyte challenged Fury for the WBC heavyweight title last April when he suffered a KO loss to his compatriot.

If Joshua can defeat Whyte again, he is expected to face American Wilder in December or early 2024 in Saudi Arabia.

Earlier Thursday, it was announced that Usyk would defend his unified heavyweight title against Daniel Dubois on August 26 in Poland.

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