Dillian Whyte vs Alexander Povetkin rematch postponed after Russian hospitalised with Covid-19

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London boxer Dillian Whyte’s Wembley rematch with Alexander Povetkin later this month has been postponed until the New Year after the Russian tested positive for Covid-19

The 41-year-old had sprung a surprise back in August with a fifth-round knockout against the Brixton fighter in the climax to Matchroom’s Fight Camp series. 

The pair had been scheduled for a rematch on November 21 at the SSE Arena in Wembley but that has now been moved to a provisional date of January 30. 

Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “Firstly, we want to wish Alexander Povetkin a speedy recovery. 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.” 

Hearn also confirmed that Povetkin had been hospitalised as a result.

Whyte had been hotly tipped to beat Povetkin in their first encounter and the shock defeat also moved him out of position as the mandatory challenger to Tyson Fury’s WBC heavyweight belt. 

But Hearn also appeared to suggest on social media that Whyte could skip ahead to meeting Fury in the ring before fighting Povetkin for a second time.

Hearn wrote on Twitter: “Dillian Whyte v Tyson Fury anyone?”

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