Dillian Whyte has accused Anthony Joshua’s team of fearing him and avoiding a potential rematch.

The old London rivals first met as amateurs in 2009 when Whyte floored and beat AJ.

Six years later in 2015, Joshua won by KO when they fought as professionals.

Now, a further eight years on, there is talk that they could lock horns once more this summer.

However, the fight is currently on hold as Joshua’s team look to lock in a deal for a massive Deontay Wilder showdown in Saudi Arabia in December.

Whyte told SunSport: “Fans must be getting p***ed off because people are promising and pushing for these fights and then bottling it when they are close to happening.

“Lots of big fights don’t happen, it’s annoying but people see it coming and have to accept it.

“Inactivity is killing the sport and it needs a shake-up. I am waiting for my next fight and was meant to fight Joshua after Jermaine Franklin.

“Joshua and his team told everybody, ‘The winner of Whyte and Franklin fights AJ’ – and then they boxed the loser.

“But anyone who sees Joshua sitting around for nine months waiting for a Wilder cash-out will see a team that has lost its bottle.”

Whyte added: “Joshua’s team are doing interviews saying he beats me in four rounds.

“But he can’t decide if I’m his dream opponent or his worst nightmare.

“I want the fight. I know that DAZN want the fight too, because it would be an absolutely huge event.

“The only problem we all have is Joshua. He has confidence issues and is afraid to take the fight.

“He doesn’t want to risk his retirement payday in Saudi Arabia against Wilder, who is also past his sell-by date…

“Joshua isn’t the golden goose anymore, the sport doesn’t revolve around him.

“Him and his people don’t seem to realise it, but duck me again and lose to Wilder in December and he and his team – that know so much but do so little – are finished.”