Former rival vows to retire Anthony Joshua if rematch takes place

With Tyson Fury suffering a second consecutive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua enduring a stunning knockout loss to Daniel Dubois, speculation has intensified that 2025 could finally be the year for the long-awaited all-British superfight between the two.

However, hopes for a clash between Fury and Joshua were thrown into doubt following Fury’s surprise retirement announcement. Given the Gypsy King’s history of multiple retirements and subsequent returns, many remain skeptical. But should Fury genuinely walk away from the sport, another British heavyweight is eager to step in and face Joshua.

Dillian Whyte has reignited his long-standing rivalry with AJ, nearly a decade after their first professional meeting. The pair initially clashed in December 2015 when both were undefeated, with Joshua claiming a seventh-round knockout victory. 

A rematch was scheduled for August 2023 but was scrapped after Whyte returned "adverse analytical findings" in a drug test. However, after an investigation confirmed the result was due to a contaminated supplement, the 36-year-old was cleared to resume his career.

Since then, Whyte has notched three consecutive victories, most recently dispatching Ebenezer Tetteh in December 2024. Now, the Brixton fighter is targeting Joshua once again, this time with the intention of forcing him into retirement.

"Eddie [Hearn] has publicly stated Joshua could fight me next, but whether he will or not I don't know whether he or his people want it, then we wait to see. I would love to retire him,” said Whyte. "If he wants to fight, then all they've got to do is call me. I'm always up for fighting AJ. No problem for me. However, personally, I think he's finished.”

Whyte believes Joshua made a critical error by not pursuing an immediate rematch with Dubois, missing an opportunity to avenge his devastating loss. Joshua suffered five knockdowns before a final right hook ended the fight, a defeat that left many questioning his future in the sport.

While Whyte remains keen on a grudge match, other names are also circling. Former WBC champion Deontay Wilder has been suggested as a possible opponent for Joshua, despite the American suffering back-to-back losses and four defeats in his last five outings. 

His most recent setback came at the hands of Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang, another fighter reportedly in the mix for a showdown with Joshua.

With Fury’s future uncertain and Joshua at a career crossroads, the heavyweight landscape remains in flux. Whether Joshua faces Whyte, Wilder or another contender, 2025 is shaping up to be a defining year for the former unified champion—and possibly his last at the elite level.