Dillian Whyte's rematch with Alexander Povetkin later this month has been postponed after the Russian tested positive for Covid-19.As England prepares to go into lockdown later this week, boxing has taken its own hit after Povetkin was revealed as having tested positive on Tuesday.The announcement means the duo's scheduled return bout for November 21, will now be delayed until a date of January 30 at the earliest in the New Year.Further details on the card for that night will be announced in due course.Whyte, 32, was stunned by Povetkin earlier this summer, when the two met at Matchroom Sport HQ in Brentwood, Essex.Having been the mandatory challenger for the WBC title since mid-July 2019, the Brixton fighter was caught by a fifth-round uppercut from the Russian, after dominating the opening four rounds.Defeat looked to have left Whyte's title aspirations in tatters, however, a rematch was agreed.
With Anthony Joshua set to fight Kubrat Pulev next month and a third fight between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder still being mooted, Whyte has again been left in limbo.
The fight's postponement also, has left a void for promoter Eddie Hearn to fill.
But Hearn has come up with a potential solution, as he playfully tweeted on social media.
Posting on Twitter, Hearn posed the question: "Dillian Whyte v Tyson Fury anyone?".
That would be quite the replacement for Povetkin and appears not so far-fetched, with Fury holding the same WBC title Whyte was set to fight for, should he have beaten the Russian initially.
Legal wranglings with Bob Arum would surely scupper any potential blockbuster plans, but as 2020 draws to a close, the heavyweight melting pot is again simmering.
Whyte meanwhile, may have to wait to get his future back on track.