Alexander Povetkin Tests Positive For COVID-19, Rematch Against Dillian Whyte Postponed

Alexander Povetkin and Dillian Whyte will not be rematching on November 21 after all.

Povetkin and Whyte fought back in August with the Russsian scoring a beautiful knockout to win the WBC interim heavyweight title. Immediately after the fight, the rematch was already in talks to take place and was then agreed on for November 21. However, the Russian has tested positive for COVID-19 and the fight is now delayed until 2021.

“Firstly we want to wish Alexander Povetkin a speedy recovery,” Hearn said (via SkySports). “This is a challenging time for shows. There will be lots of ups and downs over the next few months. We look forward to the fight happening in late January.”

Now, with Dillian Whyte available, Hearn is now hinting that he could be the opponent for Tyson Fury. The Englishman is expected to fight Agit Kabayel, but he had 24 hours to sign the contract and if he didn’t a Whyte would be much bigger.

If Whyte had beat Povetkin he would’ve been the mandatory challenger for Fury anyway. Unfortunately, he did suffer the upset loss but could be getting the fight anyway as Fury is postponing the Deontay Wilder rematch and is looking to defend his WBC heavyweight belt.

It is no doubt disappointing news for Alexander Povetkin as if he beat Whyte again, he would be in the talks to fight Fury. However, when he does fight Whyte again, he remains confident he will knock him out again.

“I’m all-in, I knocked you out once and I’ll do it again,” Povetkin said after the fight. “Whyte is raring to go. I’ve never seen him so motivated to win a fight. The bad boy in Whyte is coming out for this fight. Sometimes when fighters create success and gain wealth, do they become softer? I’ve seen another side to Whyte.”

Would you want to see Dillian Whyte vs. Tyson Fury?