Heavyweight champion of the world Anthony Joshua has a keen interest in the upcoming Dillian Whyte vs Joseph Parker showdown as he knows the winner could very well be in line for him next year.

To the massive disappointment of boxing fans the world over, Anthony Joshua will not take on Deontay Wilder next and may not even take him on in April of next year, depending on how negotiations go.

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has said that if Wilder does not accept the offer currently on the table that they will just match him with Dillian Whyte, if he were to beat Parker next up – against Joshua instead of Wilder next April.

That’s a big ‘if’ mind you.

Parker represents the toughest fight other than Joshua of Whyte’s career thus far.

Speaking on television to Sky Sports today, Anthony Joshua gave his official prediction on Parker vs Whyte:

“I’m going with Dillian and I’m going by knockout as well. You’re probably thinking what’s my reason I’m going by knockout. I feel like Dillian ain’t got nothing to lose. He’s been screaming at world champions saying I want to fight there and I want to fight here, and I feel like he wants to prove himself. Parker is strong. Parker can take a shot. I feel like in my fight he was on the back foot. I boxed clever because I wanted to set up the big fight with Wilder. So I wanted to box clever so I could secure the next one without taking no risk. But I feel like Dillian has got nothing to lose, everything to gain, so he’s going to go in there guns blazing and try to knock out Parker asap so he can secure the win and get the world title shot.”

Interesting stuff.

The fact he admitted to boxing cautious against Parker to not jeopardize the Wilder fight offers some food for thought.

What a shame that turned out to be as we don’t have the Wilder super fight now.

Going by the above, expect a cautious strategy against Povetkin too from Joshua, similar to the Parker fight.

Dillian Whyte and Joseph Parker fight on July 28th at London’s 02 Arena.