Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte’s rematch on August 12 is OFF as Eddie Hearn reveals the ‘Body Snatcher’ rejected offer that was ‘nowhere near his expectations’
- Eddie Hearn has confirmed that Anthony Joshua will not face Dillian Whyte next
- Whyte demanded more money than Matchroom were willing to pay for the bout
- Agit Kabayel is on a list of four or five possible next opponents for Brit Joshua, 33
Eddie Hearn has confirmed that Anthony Joshua will no longer be facing Dillian Whyte in his next fight after failing to come to an agreement on the financial side of the deal with the ‘Body Snatcher’.
Instead, Joshua will face a different opponent on August 12 before his blockbuster showdown with Deontay Wilder in December.
‘We made him an offer which they made it clear was nowhere near their expectations, and, quite honestly, there were very little negotiations after that,’ Hearn told Boxing Social.
European heavyweight champion Agit Kabayel is on a list of four or five possible opponents, while Jarrell Miller has been ruled out as a potential dance partner following the drug testing debacle ahead of their last scheduled meeting in 2019.
‘[Agit Kabayel] may be on a long list,’ Hearn continued. ‘Anyone in the top fifteen. I don’t mind being honest – AJ’s going to fight Deontay Wilder in December. That’s our 100 per cent focus.
Anthony Joshua won’t be facing Dillian Whyte in a rematch on August 12, says Eddie Hearn
Hearn claims Whyte priced himself out of the fight but Joshua will still box on the same date
Agit Kabayel is among Joshua’s possible next opponents while Jarrell Miller has been ruled out
‘So he needs a fight against someone who’s going to allow him to work on, under the lights, everything he’s been working on with Derrick James. There’s no point fighting a fight that’s against someone he’s going to take out in a round.
‘And it’s difficult to fight an elite, top three of five guy when you’re fighting Deontay Wilder four months later.’
Kabayel is 23-0 as a professional and is ranked by all four major sanctioning bodies; No 10 by the IBF, No 11 WBO, No 13 WBC, No 14 WBA.
The German hasn’t fought anyone of note outside of Derek Chisora, against whom he successfully defended his European title back in 2017, winning via majority decision.
Kabayel has also been linked to a fight with Tyson Fury and is currently the second favourite to face him in his next outing behind Martin Bakole, according to the bookies.
