ANTHONY JOSHUA could still fight next weekend – despite his rematch with Dillian Whyte falling through.
The Watford warrior’s second professional showdown with his long-time rival was axed today due to a failed drug test for the Brixton bad boy.
Whyte, 35, failed voluntary drug tests but the substance or substances found in his system has yet to be revealed.
Matchroom Boxing are eager for their poster boy to stay active ahead of a Saudi showdown with Deontay Wilder next year.
And SunSport understands they’re frantically trying to find a last-minute replacement for Whyte – whose career is well and truly up in the air following a third career-failed drug test.
American Gerald Washington is the current frontrunner to win the lucrative AJ sweepstakes.
The tall and rangy Yank – who is currently slated to fight Brit Derek Chisora on the undercard – would be the ideal replacement.
The 41-year-old veteran is perfectly capable of replicating The Bronze Bomber’s hard-hitting style as he’s part of his team.
Brit fan favourite Chisora is highly unlikely to be drafted in as he’s a long-time pal of Joshua’s.
Joshua’s third showdown with Whyte – who he first locked horns with as a fresh-faced amateur in 2009 – was supposed to be a pay-per-view offering on DAZN.
Most read in Boxing
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
But it’s understood the international broadcaster will make any last-minute fight- should one come to fruition – available to their regular subscribers.
Neither Joshua nor Whyte have commented on the collapse of their eagerly-anticipated rematch.
But AJ promoter Eddie Hearn has twice taken to Twitter since the news broke.
In response to a fan sharing a video of him dropping an F-bomb, he tweeted: “This one made me smile.
“Time to go to work!”
Joshua, 33, returned to the win column in April with a scrappy points victory over Jermaine Franklin at The O2.
The win snapped a two-fight skid for the Brit, who was twice turned over by former pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk.
Whyte, meanwhile, eked out a controversial split-decision win over Franklin last November.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
