ANTHONY JOSHUA has backed Dillian Whyte’s controversial comeback on his Saudi Arabia undercard — despite his old enemy fighting a doping charge.
Whyte, 31, failed a test before his July points win over Oscar Rivas but was cleared to box by UK Anti-Doping and the British Boxing Board of Control.
Dillian Whyte is hoping to come back with a bang on Anthony Joshua’s undercardCredit: Reuters
The case is ongoing and confidential. However, the Brixton brawler is under no suspension and could have boxed anywhere in the last four months.
So AJ, who beat the Body Snatcher in a 2015 thriller after some spiteful build-up, put aside their bad blood and cherry-picked him to help sell his December 7 showdown with Andy Ruiz Jr.
Promoter Eddie Hearn, who has the job of juggling the bouts for both giants, said: “AJ clears whoever goes on his undercard and he felt Dillian was a very good addition.
“Maybe because they have both been going through tough times, it might bring them closer together?
“I don’t know if there have been any messages of support between them — but maybe AJ has messaged him and told him to keep his head up and come through it, and vice-versa.
“Because they have both been through a tough spell, there might be a little more respect.
“They have always respected each other, it has never been lovey- dovey.
“Yet I think Dillian will really want AJ to win — and I know AJ has wanted Dillian to keep winning ever since they boxed.
“Even after AJ had the beef with Dillian and beat him, he never wanted to see him put down by anyone.”
HEARN DEFENDS WHYTE
Whyte’s win over Rivas made it ten in a row as he totted up support and big cheques as a headline act — all with a fan-friendly style.
But, since the ongoing case was first reported, a selection of rival fighters and pundits have turned on him — and his social-media accounts have sometimes portrayed a man in turmoil.
Now Hearn, in Monaco to promote a Matchroom card featuring Brits Joe Cordina and Hughie Fury on Saturday night, says those attacks from inside the industry have hurt the 18st slugger.
Hearn said: “While Dillian is not suspended by anyone and has a licence to box anywhere, then I can box him anywhere.
“The Ukad stuff is frustrating because we feel like we have closure, they cleared him to fight Rivas, so why don’t they come out and make their statement and just let everyone move on?
JOSHUA HAS IT ALL TO DO
“It’s the uncertainty that leaves everyone asking questions, he has to get on with his career.
“It has been horrendous for him and what is troubling him most is the people who’ve suddenly gone from supporting him to the other side.
“He has taken things personally and he has been really down.
“Now he has a date for a fight he will pick up but — for about a month after the Rivas fight — it was really horrendous for him.”
AJ will have a tough time trying to reclaim his three world titles in the desert, with Ruiz turning to mysticism to secure a second win.
Mexico’s first heavyweight king said: “Right now, we are meditating, we are preparing.
“So we are getting sharper in the ring and in training.
“We are just focused on visualising the fight — and becoming victorious once more.”
Anthony Joshua was happy to offer old rival Dillian Whyte a chance of getting back into the big timeCredit: PA:Press Association
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
