Unbeaten heavyweight prospect Anthony Joshua (14-0, 14ko) has predicted he will get his revenge on old rival Dillian Whyte (16-0, 13ko) on December 12th in London, and avenge his 2009 loss to the Brixton-based “Bodysnatcher” via knockout when the two go head to head at the city’s O2 Arena.
Joshua, who has so far destroyed all in his path since turning pro following Olympic gold in 2012, has acknowledged the rock and a hard place situation that has developed in his career, with him now more than ready to move on to the ‘next level’ of opponent – taking the very first step with this crunch bout against fellow big-hitting prospect, Whyte.
“If I take every guy out early I’m fighting no-hopers, and if I get rounds under my belt I supposedly can’t put away opponents I should,” he told chroniclelive.co.uk regarding the opposition he has faced thus far, and the struggle he faces in pleasing the critics and detractors, despite claiming the Commonwealth heavyweight crown last time out.
Many people believe Whyte will enter December’s fight with a crucial psychological advantage over Joshua – given the 2009 victory – although the Olympian refutes the suggestion outright, claiming much water has passed under the bridge since then and that he is a far better fighter now in the pros than he was back then as a novice.
“He [Whyte] beat me early in my amateur career with big gloves and headgear,” Joshua said. “On this occasion I’ll get rid of him. No question. This is my time.”
Should Joshua beat Whyte on December 12th, he will add the British title to the Commonwealth strap he won in September when steam-rolling Scotland’s Gary Cornish, and promoter Eddie Hearn will then look to move him on to European level proper next year, ostensibly targeting the winner of December’s Erkan Teper v Robert Helenius EBU title clash in Finland, that takes place a week after the Joshua/Whyte bill.
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