Whyte stormed from the ring as Joshua explained his place in the pecking order. But promoter Eddie Hearn later said a bout between the pair was a case of "when, not if" as he expects Whyte to become a mandatory challenger.

In defeating Chisora, Whyte showed more elements of progress as he boxed patiently against a rival who ploughed forward time and again.

Whyte, 30, seemed more cautious than during their heavy-hitting meeting in 2016 when he shaded a points win after 12 thrilling rounds which left many fans calling for a repeat.

The rematch was again played out at pace, with Whyte picking smart shots under pressure. A hard counter-right in the opening round and a short uppercut in the second caught the eye, while a shot drilled to the body jolted Chisora in eight.

But Chisora landed good work of his own as he closed the distance, with a heavy right hook getting home in the sixth.

He was docked points - for repeated low blows in the eighth and an elbow in the 11th - perhaps tempting him to chase the contest without knowing two ringside judges had him ahead.