British boxer Dillian Whyte has dismissed talk of a rematch with Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker, saying it would be a backwards step in his quest to become world champion.
Almost a year has passed since Whyte claimed a unanimous points-decision win over Parker in a controversial bout at the O2 Arena in London.
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Parker was knocked down twice in the fight - once by a headbutt - before the Kiwi fought back, dropping 'The Body Snatcher' in the final frame.
In the aftermath, Parker said he would fight Whyte again, but speaking before his fight against Oscar Rivas later this month, Whyte revealed he didn't have the same desire for a rematch.
"Parker was never in my plans," Whyte told Sky Sports UK. "I beat him already, so why would he be in my plans... someone I've beaten already?
"He wants me to be in his plans, but he's not in my plans.
"That's what I don't get - him and David Higgins are talking rubbish. Why would I chase someone I've already beaten, it makes no sense."
Whyte then gave a scathing review of Parker's most recent fight against Alex Leapai, saying the 27-year-old Aucklander was "terrible", despite winning by a 10th-round TKO.
"It was terrible," said Whyte. "I don't understand what was going on and what [trainer] Kevin Barry was telling him.
"Someone like Leapai, you smash their head in.
"I think a heavy bag is more dangerous than Leapai. A heavy bag will swing back, the heavy bag might hit you a couple of times."
The fight was Parker's first under promoter Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Sport, who also manage Whyte.
In an interview earlier this week, Hearn said he would like Parker to face Derek Chisora on the undercard of Anthony Joshua's November rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr in the UK.
"We can push on from here and Parker v Chisora on the AJ undercard in November makes perfect sense," Hearn told IFL TV.
"Loads of fights make sense - Alex Povetkin, Oleksandr Usyk, Michael Hunter... Murat Gassiev is a really good fight for him.
"Loads of fights, but I really like the Chisora fight, if Derek gets through his July fight."
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