Bitter enemies Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte were reunited in an intense face-off today after their eagerly-anticipated grudge match on Saturday, August 12, sold-out The O2 in just two hours.
In what is the hottest ticket in boxing this summer, fans wasted no time in snapping up every seat at London's iconic 18,000-capacity venue for what promises to be an unmissable domestic summer showdown – which can be seen exclusively live on DAZN around the world and on DAZN PPV in the UK and Ireland.
The pair have shared an astonishing history of violence dating back to their amateur days, with Whyte victorious before Joshua sensationally settled the score when he stopped his rival as a professional back in 2015.
And former two-time World Heavyweight Champion and Olympic Gold medal hero Joshua (25-3, 22 KOs) insists he will do everything in his power to triumph again and repeat his heroics at The O2 next month.
“I’m definitely up for fighting,” said Joshua, who flew direct into London from his training camp with Derrick James in Texas for today’s media conference at London’s Hilton Syon Park Hotel.
“There are a lot of names in the division. But at the same time look at what this fight does. I’m a fighter but I also understand business. And this fight does good business.
“He {Dillian] is just another body. They’ve got a lot of hate for me. But I’m not worried about that. I’m worried about my lane and what I’m trying to do. I don’t focus on other peoples opinions.
“Boxing is about fundamentals. There’s two ways to skin and cat. You can knock someone out or outclass them. Everything I say today is irrelevent until that bells goes. I’m here to win.
"Forget [Deontay] Wilder and all them lot. They’ve been doing my head in for years. Even with [Tyson] Fury. You can see all the lies that have been going on. I’m 34 this year and I’m not wasting my time chasing people. I have to have an underlining respect for every man who steps in the ring with me. I could fight now. I’ve got a brilliant trainer – a serious trainer. And we’ll see where it goes.
“It’s a massive night for my career. Victorious 100%. That’s my goal and that’s what I’m looking forward to.”
Opponent Dillian Whyte (29-3-0, 19 KOs) was unfazed, however and believes he is capable of staging the ultimate upset in less than five weeks time.
He said: “We’re still chasing improvement and we have new teams around us. We’re more experienced and have more skills. We’ve still got a lot of hunger and I can’t wait to get in there.
“I just prepare for the best version of him [Joshua]. I don’t care what people are saying about him. I’m still coming to fight and I haven’t got anything to lose. I’m calm now – but the more you f*** about, we’ll soon find out.
“Is this a must-win fight? Every fight I’ve had with Matchroom has been like that. But I don’t worry about that. Let’s see what happens.
“I have the power to take anyone out. If the knockout comes then great. But I’m focusing on the victory. I’ll listen to what Buddy McGirt says.”
Whyte was joined by trainer and Hall of Famer, Buddy McGirt.
The American said: “This is a fight that boxing needs. It’s good fight for Dillian. And it will be a great night of boxing. What better place for it to happen than right here in London?”
With tickets completely sold out, the fight can be seen exclusively live on DAZN around the world and on DAZN PPV in the UK and Ireland.
Matchroom Sport Chairman, Eddie Hearn said: "This is a fight I still can’t believe is happening. This is a massive fight for the Heavyweight division. Little more than seven years ago, these two came head-to-head. I saw a picture earlier and they are unrecognisable to where they are today. Some seven years on, two World Heavyweight Titles and a plethora of huge Heavyweight fights between them in sold-out stadiums and all around the world, these two Heavyweights collide in London once again. Victory in the amateurs and victory in the pros. Some are calling this ‘The Decider’. I call it a must-win for two of Britain’s biggest Heavyweights.
“This fight has absolutely everything and it is the fight that both guys wanted. We can also announce that having gone on sale this morning, this fight is completely sold out. It’s a huge night for British boxing and it’s a huge fight for the Heavyweight division. This is a fight that British boxing needs. It is the biggest fight for DAZN so far here in the UK.”
Alfie Sharman, DAZN VP Marketing, added: “It’s no surprise this fight is sold-out and we are incredibly excited to be staging this event. There’s been some speculation that the Heavyweight division has been sleeping in 2023 but we have certainly lit a fire underneath that with this fight.
“Domestic fights always bring amazing energy, especially when you have two household names at an elite level. When we first started to work with Anthony on DAZN, everyone wanted to stage blockbuster fights – and in Dillian we have a world class operator has has been in we’ve the best.
“Their rivalry has existed since the amateurs and now on August 12 there needs to be an overall winner.”
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