Joshua vs Whyte: Who should Anthony Joshua fight next after knockout of Dillian Whyte?

By Richard Damerell

Image: Anthony Joshua celebrates with British and Commonwealth titles after win over Whyte

After Anthony Joshua's explosive knockout win over Dillian Whyte, who should the unbeaten heavyweight face next?

The 26-year-old now holds the British and Commonwealth titles after halting Whyte in dramatic fashion, but was given a scare in the second round as a punch wobbled Joshua by the ropes during a blistering start to their showdown at The O2 in London. 

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David Haye, working at ringside as a Sky Sports expert, has admitted his and Joshua's 'paths will cross' while Dereck Chisora, another British rival, also claimed victory on the bill. 

But Joshua has other opponents to pick from as he builds towards huge fights in 2016...

Malik Scott, 38-2-1 (13 KOs)

Image: Malik Scott has already enquired about a Joshua fight

The American had helped Whyte prepare for his clash with Joshua and travelled over to London to support him, even cheekily asking promoter Eddie Hearn if a future fight with the amateur was possible at the pre-fight press conference.

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Scott was halted inside a round by big-punching compatriot Deontay Wilder, the current WBC champion, while Chisora claimed a contentious stoppage - his only other defeat - on a previous trip to these shores in 2013.

But the Philadelphia man is coming off a decent points win over Tony Thompson, which saw him climb off the canvas, and one of the division's less dangerous punchers could take Joshua past the halfway mark again.

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Hughie Fury, 18-0 (10 KOs)

Image: Hughie Fury has a longer unbeaten record

Tyson's younger cousin is rightly considered as Britain's other hot prospect and at 6'6" tall he is of equal height to Joshua and also possesses a perfect record.

Peter Fury, Hughie's father, has found it hard to match the 21-year-old, but he has already gained US attention and was twice offered title shots at Deontay Wilder, albeit at far too late notice.  

The Fury family wisely rebuffed these offers, but like Tyson, Hughie comes from fighting stock and would no doubt relish the chance to prove himself against a fellow unbeaten fighter.

Dereck Chisora, 24-5 (16 KOs

Image: Dereck Chisora claimed a stoppage win on the undercard

'Del Boy' remains a relevant figure in the British division, despite those five defeats which all came against respected foes.

Chisora racked up a third round stoppage win - his fourth in a row - against the over-matched and overweight Jakov Gopsic, and he is a good measuring stick for an upcoming heavyweight like Joshua.

Only the heavy-hitting Haye has halted Chisora before the halfway stage and the Londoner packs enough power to be treated with respect.

David Haye 26-2 (24 KOs)

Image: Joshua was joined by Haye at the weigh-in

The rise of Joshua is surely one of the reasons why Haye announced his comeback this year and a bumper domestic clash is surely inevitable in the future.

Haye offered respectful words as Joshua recovered from that torrid spell in the second round, but he is a ruthless finisher and would brutally exploit such signs of vulnerability.

The former WBA world champion has other immediate plans as he makes his comeback against Mark de Mori next month and Joshua could be forgiven for taking a few learning fights before he handles the 'Hayemaker'. 

Tyson Fury, 25-0 (18 KO)

Image: Tyson Fury is the top fighter in the division after dethroning Wladimir Klitschko

A meeting with the newly-crowned ruler of the division is extremely unlikely at the moment as it would represent a big jump in class for Joshua, while Fury is tied into a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko.

But a battle between the two biggest names in British boxing would create massive public interest and of course a hugely lucrative purse.

No, it's hard to see how it could happen, unless Klitschko commits a career U-turn and retires, however, fight fans are already debating long into the night about the outcome of a Fury-Joshua clash.

What about Whyte?

Image: Whyte supplied the sternest challenge yet for Joshua

Let's not forget the Brixton man, who produced the toughest test of Joshua's career, and 'AJ' even admitted we could see a rematch straight away.

Bad blood remains between the bitter rivals, with Whyte leaving the ring without acknowledging the winner, and they could share the ring once again in the coming months.

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