Joshua, who is 33 years old, knocked out Whyte in the seventh round of their hot British title fight eight years ago, which also took place at the O2. This was payback for Joshua, who had lost to Whyte when they were both amateurs.
Joshua, who won a gold medal at the Olympics, went on to win the world title twice.
Whyte, who was 36 at the time, lost his only shot at the world title to Tyson Fury in 2022.
Joshua said, “I’ve been clear that I want to be busy this year.” “The date is August 12; I’ll be ready to fight then. I’m excited to get down to business.”
Whyte won a decision over Joshua when they were both amateurs in 2009. This was the start of their bitter feud.
When the two met again as professionals in December 2015, Joshua got his own back. “AJ” was knocked down in the second round, but he got back up and made the referee stop the fight in the seventh.
“I’m looking forward to returning to the London O2 on August 12 and going to war,” Whyte said. “The score is 1-1, so this is the game-winner.”
In August, Usyk will fight Dubois for his belts.
The fight between Joshua and Whyte started up again.
Joshua beat American Jermaine Franklin on points in April. It was his first win in more than two years, after losing three straight fights to world champion Oleksandr Usyk in the WBA (Super), IBF, and WBO divisions.
After winning gold at London 2012, the Londoner, who has won 25 fights and lost three, went pro.
He won a world title in his 16th fight, but Andy Ruiz Jr. shocked everyone by stopping him in a fight at Madison Square Garden in June 2019. In the rematch six months later, he regained his unified belts on points.
Joshua is likely to fight former world champion Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia in December. A deal is said to be close to being made.
It is thought that he wanted a second fight with trainer Derrick James before taking on American Wilder, who hits hard.
After weeks of talks, Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn agreed to the fight after Whyte asked them to remove a rematch option.
Hearn said, “I can’t believe this fight is going to happen, and neither man could be stopped.”
“Their hatred for each other runs deep, and there’s something about them that makes them never give up on each other.
“It’s a must-win for both sides. There will be fireworks.”
Whyte hasn’t fought since November 2022, when he also beat Franklin on points. Since he turned pro in 2011, ‘Bodysnatcher’ has won 29 fights and lost three.
