British heavyweight Dillian Whyte has said that he was advised to pull out after the second round of his showdown with Anthony Joshua on Saturday night.
Moments earlier, Whyte had staggered Joshua, leaving the Olympic gold medallist hurt for the first time in his professional career, before Joshua recovered to record a devastating seventh-round stoppage to win the vacant British title, and successfully defend his Commonwealth strap.
However, Whyte has claimed that he hurt his shoulder when throwing the punch that temporarily had Joshua holding on, and he insists that was the reason why he could not emerge victorious in an absorbing contest.
The 27-year-old told Sky Sports News: "I had him out on his feet, he was stumbling around. I hit him and he stiffened up, but at the same time I hit him my shoulder went so I couldn't really finish him off.
"But I'm not going to make any excuses. My trainer said 'do you want to stop the fight' and I said 'I'm not going to let these fans down, I'm going to be the true warrior I am and go out on my shield'. And that's what happened."
Whyte is keen for a second meeting with Joshua in 2016, but his long-term rival could face Dereck Chisora in April.
Darren Plant
