Joshua?s First Choice Was Whyte

On hearing that his mandatory challenger, Kubrat Pulev had pulled out if the fight scheduled for Cardiff this weekend, it appears Anthony Joshua had his own views on who he?d have liked to have seen in the opposite corner at the Principality Stadium on 28 October.

Joshua?s preferred option would have been a re-match with Dillian Whyte, with Joshua remarking to the media,

?After we got the news about Pulev, the first person I asked to fight was Dillian Whyte.

?The two people who have brought the best out of me entertainment-wise were Dillian and Klitschko.?

Unfortunately, the IBF rules stated that Joshua must fight the next fighter in the ratings below Pulev, in this case Carlos Takam.

Originally though following the huge clash at Wembley Stadium, against Wladimir Klitschko, a re-match with the Ukrainian was next on the schedule, something Wladimir?s retirement put paid to.

However, Joshua has a few thoughts on facing Wladimir again, remarking to the media,

?If you look back at my career so far and picked the most memorable fights, it would be those two.

?I was buzzing for a re-match with Klitschko because of the type of fight it was and Dillain would be the same. Everyone would benefit and have a good time from that one.

?In some ways I?m glad there isn?t going to be a second fight between me and Klitschko because it would have dampened what happened the first time if the rematch wasn?t as thrilling or exciting.

?Now we can all focus on the night we had at Wembley six months ago.

?But then for the love of the spot I would have loved to fight him again.?

It?s something we?d also have liked to have seen again, but we have to respect Wladimir?s decision to retire.