Heavyweight contender Dillian Whyte is hoping that his domestic rival, Anthony Joshua, returns in full force.

Back on June 1 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Joshua was shocked by massive underdog Andy Ruiz.

Joshua was dropped four times, before the contest was waved off in the seventh round, and Ruiz walked away with the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO world titles.

Back in December 2015, Whyte suffered a seventh round stoppage at the hands of Joshua.

That blemish is still the only defeat on Whyte's record. And he's been pushing to avenge that loss for several years.

Before he can think about a rematch with Joshua, the once-beaten Whyte will have to overcome undefeated Oscar Rivas at The O2 on July 20.

Should he get past Rivas, then Whyte would be open to face Joshua once again at any time.

"I don't think he overlooked Andy Ruiz Jr, if anything he was a bit too respectful," Whyte told Sky Sports.

"Ruiz Jr is such a nice guy and he was giving him his belts, taking photos with him, I didn't understand it when you're about to go to war with this man. The whole thing was a bit strange, including Joshua's demeanour, and maybe he just didn't want the pressure of being champion anymore. Sometimes people get stressed out and can't cope with the stress of being under that microscope 24 hours.

"It's good for British boxing if he comes back. We still have unsettled beef, if he loses 10 fights in a row, I still want to fight him again. Hopefully he does come back and comes back bigger, better and stronger, I'm a bit sad that Andy Ruiz Jr beat him instead of me but it is what it is."

Joshua will get the chance to regain his titles in the fall. He exercised his option for an immediate rematch and the two boxers will clash in the final quarter of the year.