Friday 8 December 2017 06:37, UK
Dillian Whyte says he will "100 per cent" accept a rematch with Anthony Joshua early next year if his British rival cannot agree a unification clash with Joseph Parker.
Negotiations for Joshua to put his WBA 'super' and IBF titles on the line against Parker are in deadlock with the WBO champion's promoter accusing 'AJ' of "refusing to compromise".
Whyte is also waiting to learn his next opponent for a scheduled fight date of February 3, but would be willing to resume hostilities with Joshua instead if he receives a suitable offer.
"It's either Parker or me, really," Whyte exclusively told Sky Sports.
Asked if he would face Joshua next, he added: "Yeah, 100 per cent. Ever since the fight, I've always wanted that fight, but it's a business as well as pride and all of that.
"As I'm older, I'm realising that this kind of fight - there is a lot of revenue and I bring a lot of value to the table as well.
"I'm happy to take the fight, but I've got to be compensated the right way, that's all it is."
Promoter Eddie Hearn has also confirmed that Whyte is a potential opponent for Joshua, either in his next title defence, or when the Brixton man claims a world belt of his own.
Discussing the likelihood of Joshua-Whyte, Hearn said: "The first, is that Dillian could fight him next in March or April.
"Two; he could fight Joshua in a unification fight. Dillian is on the verge.
"My aim for Dillian is to fight for the world heavyweight championship then fight Joshua in a unifier - that would be mega. We've got to get him a shot, which is difficult."
Whyte hurt Joshua in the early rounds of their 2015 fight before suffering a seventh-round stoppage loss and admits he would be much better prepared for their return bout.
You need to be able to take a punch and give a punch as well, and I'm capable of both.
"I'll take the fight to him more this time," said Whyte. "Last time, I tried to outbox him and try and stretch him out, but he was fitter than I thought he was. I had injuries and I had other problems that let me down. But I'm honest with myself, I wasn't in the best of condition for that level of fight.
"I understand and accept that, and I've been working on that every day. Every fight my condition is better than the last and even in the 12th round I still have a lot left in the tank. I'll still give it a go, up until the last bell.
"With Joshua, the main thing is to try and push him back, try and make him start missing punches, as soon as he can, and then cause him some problems.
"You need to be able to take a punch and give a punch as well, and I'm capable of both."
