Next five potential opponents for Dillian Whyte with Anthony Joshua front of queue after win over Jermaine Franklin

DILLIAN WHYTE punched his way into a rematch with Anthony Joshua after narrowly edging past Jermaine Franklin.

Whyte left Wembley Arena with a disputed majority decision win, returning for the first time since defeat to Tyson Fury.

Dillian Whyte beat Jermaine Franklin by majority decisionCredit: Rex

But Eddie Hearn warned the heavyweight and AJ could instead have different fights in early 2023 before a summer stadium rematch.

So it leaves the door open for who Whyte will fight next, with several options on the table.

Here, SunSport looks at the contenders in play.

Anthony Joshua

Joshua, 33, remains a frontrunner to face Whyte, 34, next year as the pair embraced at ringside.

Hearn has opened the door to the pair rematching right away, with AJ keen to return straight into a big fight.

Joshua lost to Whyte in the amateurs in 2009 but won their rematch six years later by brutal stoppage.

Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte embraceCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Whyte still has unfinished business with Wallin, 32, having pulled out of their proposed October 2021 through injury.

He instead went on to challenge Fury, 34, for the WBC belt, while leaving Swede Wallin in the lurch.

Should the AJ rematch fail to come off next, Whyte and Wallin have the shared history to build interest in a fill-in fight.

Otto Wallin still wants to fight Dillian WhyteCredit: Getty

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Before signing to fight Franklin, 29, Whyte almost agreed a deal to face Dubois, 24, on BT pay-per-view.

Eventually, his financial demands were not met, leaving the bout shelved for now.

But it remains a massive fight should Whyte need to look elsewhere and Dubois has the WBA’s secondary “regular” title to bring to the table.

Daniel Dubois came close to fighting Dillian WhyteCredit: Reuters

Franklin felt he was “robbed” of a win against Whyte, leading to calls for a rematch by the American and fans online.

Whyte seemed less convinced in the post-fight press conference but a lack of options could see the pair box once more.

And it could even pave the way for Whyte to do so Stateside, although any alternative seems unlikely.

Dillian Whyte narrowly beat Jermaine Franklin on pointsCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Wilder, 37, has long feuded with Whyte dating back to his years as WBC champion, when he never defended his belt against the Brit.

The Bronze Bomber is now in line to fight Andy Ruiz Jr, 33, for the right to challenge for Fury’s belt.

It makes a fight with Whyte unlikely, although Hearn previously teased that he had a deal in place for the pair in the Middle East.

Deontay Wilder has long feuded with Dillian WhyteCredit: Getty Images – Getty