Matchroom Boxing are scrambling to find a replacement opponent for Anthony Joshua on August 12 after his rematch with Dillian Whyte was cancelled due to the ‘Body Snatcher’ failing a pre-fight drugs test carried out by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA). It is more than likely that the promoters will look to elevate one of the heavyweights who are already on the undercard to a main event slot but there are also plenty of hungry contenders lining up for a chance to face the Watford powerhouse.
Here, Express Sport counts down the three best options who could logically step in for Whyte this weekend. And to put the record straight, neither Derek Chisora nor Gerald Washington feature on this list. Both men have no business being in the ring with Joshua.
Demsey McKean
Demsey McKean seems like the smartest option for AJ. He’s already booked on the bill against Filip Hrgovic in the co-main event and doesn’t carry the same inherent risk factor as the Croatian puncher.
Of course, boxing fans want to see the best possible fight and that would undoubtedly be Hrgovic but whether Matchroom would be willing to throw their prize asset in with him on such short notice seems unlikely – especially when they risk losing a blockbuster showdown with Deontay Wilder at the back end of the year in defeat. McKean is, of course, no slouch and remains undefeated as a professional though Joshua would be heavily favoured to win.
Andy Ruiz Jr
In a surprise twist, Andy Ruiz Jr has thrown his hat in the ring to replace Whyte. The Mexican-American famously stopped Joshua back in June 2019 after coming in as a short-notice replacement for Jarrell Miller, who also failed a pre-fight drugs test.
AJ rallied to beat Ruiz Jr on points six months later and had promised him a trilogy bout in the immediate aftermath. Perhaps now is the perfect time to do it. In a video posted to his social media channels, Ruiz Jr said: “Eddie Hearn, Anthony Joshua, I think I found a new replacement again. Let’s run it back, let’s get the trilogy. Let’s get it!”
Filip Hrgovic
As stated earlier, Hrgovic vs Joshua is the best fight that can be made on such short notice. Whether Matchroom will put it together is another thing.
Hrgovic is the IBF’s No 1 contender and a win over him would elevate Joshua to being next in line to face the winner of Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois. The 31-year-old has had a lot to say about AJ in the past and may now have the chance to back it up in the ring.
This fight is arguably better than the original main event and would certainly please hardcore boxing fans but it is also a massive risk for Joshua.