The rematch between former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and British boxer Dillian Whyte has been thrown in doubt due to financial disagreements.
Joshua’s plan is to head into a massive showdown with Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia in December.
However, the British-Nigerian wants to box again under new trainer Derrick James to prepare, following his underwhelming win over Jermaine Franklin in April.
Whyte is understood to be Joshua’s preferred opponent, but he’s unhappy with the money that’s been put on the table.
“We’ve made an offer, they felt that offer was unacceptable,” Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn told reporters on Thursday.
“We may be too far out on the money to make that fight. We’re looking at two other opponents for August 12. It’s not that it has to be Dillian; that’s the fight Joshua wanted.
“But if we’ve got the Deontay Wilder fight done (for December), we can fight someone else from the top 15 on August 12. But if we can’t get the Wilder fight done, then we need a much bigger fight on August 12 or we look at Tyson Fury in September.
“I believe we’re gonna get that fight made with Wilder.”
Hearn continued; “The issue is the money Dillian wants, the money AJ wants. I don’t think we can get to the number Dillian wants for that fight in all honesty.
“I think Dillian wants the fight, I think Joshua wants the fight, but we may well run out of time.”
Whyte gave his thoughts too, as he told Sky; “It’s a big fight, it’s eight weeks away and there’s no communication, nothing. They’re just wasting time messing about. I don’t think that they’re serious about the fight.
“They’re worrying about the fight and I don’t blame them. If he’s going to get £50m to fight Wilder in Saudi in December it just baffles me.
“Why would they take a chance fighting me? It doesn’t make sense. So I’m not surprised to be honest.”
