Dillian Whyte has accused Anthony Joshua of being frightened of risking a fight with him, due to the prospect of losing out on a potential clash with Deontay Wilder.
Joshua was expected to face Whyte in the summer after defeating common opponent Jermaine Franklin in April, following successive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
However, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed to Pro Boxing Fans last week that no offer has been made to Whyte, with talks reportedly ongoing for ‘AJ’ to finally face Deontay Wilder in December in Saudi Arabia and it remains unclear whether the 33-year-old will have an interim bout in the summer.
’The Body Snatcher’, who has not fought since edging past Franklin in November, believes the Watford man is running scared from a rematch of their 2015 dust-up which Joshua prevailed by seventh round stoppage.
“Inactivity is killing the sport and it needs a shake-up,” Whyte told SunSport.
“I am waiting for my next fight and [it] was meant to fight Joshua after Franklin.
“Joshua and his team told everybody ‘the winner of Whyte and Franklin fights AJ’ and then they boxed the loser.
“Joshua’s team are doing interviews saying he beats me in four rounds.
“But he can’t decide if I’m his dream opponent or his worst nightmare. I want the fight.
“I know that DAZN want the fight, too, because it would be an absolutely huge event.
“The only problem we all have is Joshua. He has confidence issues and is afraid to take the fight.”
Hearn flew out to Saudi Arabia last month for talks with officials over staging the mega clash in December, with bosses in the region also keen to stage the undisputed heavyweight title bout between world champions, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
Former world title challenger, Whyte believes both Joshua and Wilder are on the decline and feels ‘AJ’ is not prepared to risk potentially his final pay cheque by facing him prior to a meeting with ‘The Bronze Bomber’.
“He doesn’t want to risk his retirement payday in Saudi Arabia against Wilder, who is also past his sell-by date,” the 35-year-old added.
“Joshua isn’t the golden goose anymore, the sport doesn’t revolve around him.
“Him and his people don’t seem to realise it but duck me again and lose to Wilder in December and he and his team — that know so much but do so little — are finished.”
