Eddie Hearn, promoter for former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, has removed the immediate rematch clause from the previous bout agreement that was issued to Dillian Whyte.
Hearn is training to finalize a deal for Joshua to face Whyte on August 12.
Joshua knocked Whyte out in the seventh round when they met in December of 2015.
Last Friday, Hearn sent an official contract over to Whyte’s handlers.
Earlier this week, Whyte would complain over certain aspects of the contract – specifically the inclusion of a rematch clause.
In response to that stumbling block, Hearn has removed the rematch clause – but he also believes Whyte is not going to sign the contract.
“The great news is now they have a contract with no rematch clause for August 12. There is absolutely nothing in the contract of any regard that is going to cause any problems, let’s see. I don’t think they are going to sign it, but I hope they do. AJ wants this fight bad,” Hearn told Boxing Social.
“It’s the fight he wants but we want to announce it on Saturday, so we’ve got 48 hours. I don’t want to put deadlines to start rattling people, but the deadline is on us to announce the fight and other opponents who we’ve got ready to go. I know Dillian loves a big fight and it’s here for him, so hopefully he signs.”
In most scenarios, the A-side traditionally has a rematch clause in the contract.
According to Hearn, the request for a rematch clause is business as usual with any A-side fighter.
“When there is such a huge A-side in the fight you have to do your job as a promoter. Firstly, any huge name I have worked with in boxing has a rematch clause. Secondly, it was me that requested that,” Hearn said.
“AJ is about to fight Wilder for $50 or $60 million and he is choosing to take a dangerous fight a few months before. If he loses, he is out in the wilderness and loses the Wilder fight in December. If we’re giving that opportunity to someone else, of course we are going to look for a rematch clause.”
Whether or not Joshua will compete in August, there are ongoing discussions for Joshua to face former WBC world champion Deontay Wilder