What a loss for either Anthony Joshua or Dillian Whyte will do to their careers

Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Dillian Whyte has the potential to offer more than bragging rights. It could be that both boxers are returning to the forefront of the heavyweight conversation after their disappointing performances against Jermaine Franklin.

The history between AJ and Whyte makes the Body Snatcher one of the most dangerous opponents for Joshua outside of the current champions, regardless of how poor he looked last year in his highly anticipated title attempt against Tyson Fury.

The fact that their rematch will take place at the O2 Arena also brings a sense of nostalgia after the two British heavyweights went head-to-head at the same venue in December 2015.

But with great opportunity comes great risk. A loss to either boxer would set their careers back.

And while I’m not saying they would be ready, it would take a significant amount of money for them to work their way to the top of the division.

A loss to both British boxers at the O2 on August 12 would significantly delay their careers

Joshua has made it clear that he is eager to fight three times this year, team up with new trainer Derrick James and return to the top of the heavyweight scene. But facing his nemesis Whyte for a second time could derail his plans for 2023.

AJ goes into the rematch as the favorite, despite his recent fall from grace – having suffered back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk before a dismal points victory over American heavyweight Jermaine Franklin.

However, the pressure will be on Joshua’s shoulders when he goes into the fight at the O2 next month as his Saudi Arabian fight with Deontay Wilder is on the line.

AJ’s fight against Wilder is a lucrative opportunity to propel the British boxer back to the top of the heavyweight division. However, a loss to the Body Snatcher could cause Wilder to back out of their potential fight.

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The Bronzer Bomber wants to return to the forefront of the heavyweight conversation, after losing to Tyson Fury twice in a row in 2020 and 2021, and feels he needs to be selective about his next opponent.

Facing AJ after a loss to Whyte won’t make the splash he intended. Therefore, the American heavyweight may be more inclined to take on Andy Ruiz in Saudi Arabia instead.

AJ’s performance against Whyte will also factor into his future endeavours. Prior to the Franklin fight, there was a lot of talk about how Joshua should win in spectacular fashion and Eddie Hearn even backed AJ into getting into the wrecking ball.

But that’s not the AJ we got. Instead we got a Joshua who was afraid to let go of his hands for fear of the counter. I can’t blame him though – he must have been extremely careful given what happened during his first fight with Usyk.

Joshua and Whyte last fought in 2015 with AJ coming out victorious via technical knockout

Nevertheless, at the peak of his abilities – before Andy Ruiz Jr. razed him to the ground – a top-notch AJ would never have gone the distance with a fighter like Franklin.

However, AJ did show a glimpse of himself during his second fight with the Ukrainian. He focused on attacking the body before finally breaking through in the ninth round, hurting the 36-year-old with a flurry of shots.

The champ – who took AJ’s WBA, WBO and IBF belts during their September fight – looked awkward after being teased around the ring. Joshua was relentless, unleashing a series of quick punches to the head and abdomen.

AJ threw 67 punches in the ninth round and landed 28. That was double his career high. However, he failed to really capitalize.

Usyk turned the fight around in the 11th and dominated before a sharp right hand pushed the Ukrainian back for a split second. AJ knew he needed something spectacular to win and ended the fight by going for the KO.

AJ was thrilling and furious during the 12th round, but couldn’t quite handle things. And although he lost to the Ukrainian, people were excited about what was to come from the Briton given his uptick in form.

However, the pressure was still on AJ’s shoulders to perform against Franklin. Some boxing fans called for him to retire if he failed to beat the American heavyweight.

AJ managed to secure the win but there was nothing spectacular about it. Speaking at ringside right after the fight, I asked Joshua if he was happy with his performance and he said, ‘Not really, not too happy about it. But, it’s all good’.

Joshua defeated Jermaine Franklin in April 2023 at the O2 Arena via unanimous decision

Fans will be eager to see another side of AJ during his fight with Whyte and Joshua will be eager to prove himself to those at the top of the division. Let’s face it, people like Tyson Fury won’t want AJ if he flops against Whyte.

Nevertheless, I believe the fans will get what they want from Joshua on August 12th. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If there’s one opponent who brings out the best in AJ (or brings back the old AJ as people like to say) it’s Whyte.

The atmosphere for AJ’s fight with Whyte was exciting. AJ himself was electric. He landed a vicious right uppercut in the seventh round, sending the Brixton heavyweight falling flat on the bottom rope.

However, Whyte will also be vengeful after stating that he lost to AJ after breaking his hand during their 2015 fight. After their 2015 fight, Whyte said, “I was like, listen, this is my chance.” I just need to take off the left corner and that’s enough.

‘Cause when Joshua attacks, he leaves his right side open all the time. But the shoulder was clearly that bad. I actually landed the punch I wanted to land, but when I landed it my entire AC joint shattered. The pain was intense.

“My adrenaline was pumping so I just tried to keep it in, but the pain was insane. Every time I jabbed or hit him, it felt like bone rubbing against bone and there was no more strength, no more breakage in the joint.”

Whyte is equally under pressure to secure a win over AJ as his best win in the last four years came against a 41-year-old Covid-worn Alexander Povetkin.

Eddie Hearn felt AJ (center) would benefit from another fight under his new trainer Derrick James (left) before facing Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia

Last time, Whyte’s hand had been raised against Franklin, but most felt that this should not have happened. The American heavyweight even stated that he was ‘robbed’ by the British judges.

Losing to AJ would push him out of the top heavyweight boxing league. He is already missing from the top five of the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO rankings. He has only made the top 10 in the WBC and IFB standings. I don’t see him taking a look at Wilder, Ruiz or Usyk anytime soon.

Nevertheless, the history between AJ and Whyte makes the Body Snatcher one of the most dangerous opponents for Joshua outside of the current champions, no matter how poor he looked last year in his highly anticipated title shot against Fury.

I don’t care what you say, this fight is going to be huge. Joshua vs Whyte, back at the O2. Sign me up, I’ll definitely tune in.

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