Dillian Whyte likely for Anthony Joshua rematch at Wembley in 2019

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has admitted that he is set to fight Brixton’s Dillian Whyte in April if a unification clash with Deontay Wilder cannot be agreed.

Joshua retained his collection of belts on Saturday night as he produced a brutal seventh round knockout of Alexander Povetkin at Wembley Stadium.

And now the Watford heavyweight can make a voluntary defence of his straps after taking out the Russian, who had been his mandatory challenger.

Joshua needs the WBC belt – currently in the possession of Wilder – to complete the full set of titles and becoming undisputed heavyweight champion. But Wilder has signed to fight Tyson Fury at the start of December, with the bout expected to take place in the USA.

Whyte, 30, gave Joshua his first real test in December 2015 – rocking the Olympic gold medallist before being knocked out at Greenwich’s 02 Arena. Since then he has won eight in a row to become highly ranked by all the leading governing bodies.

The South Londoner is in talks over a rematch with Dereck Chisora, who he edged a split decision over in December 2016. That could act as a warm-up before he steps in the ring with Joshua again – but this time at a packed out Wembley.

Matchroom Boxing chief Hearn, who promotes both Joshua and Whyte, said: “We’ll go away and we’ll try again with Team Wilder to make the fight. We’ll see if Fury-Wilder actually happens – there is no venue and I didn’t think you could sign a contract on that basis.

“Saturday was about getting that big banana skin out of the way in Alexander Povetkin, because he is a world-class fighter.

“I believe if it is not Deontay Wilder [next] then Dillian Whyte will be next here in April. But our focus – 100 per cent – is on AJ being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.”