Dillian Whyte vs Alexander Povetkin: Rematch Cancelled Over Povetkin Testing Positive To Covid-19

Dillian Whyte's rematch with Alexander Povetkin will not be happening this year after the Russian boxer tested positive for the dreadful bug, Covid-19.

The rematch was scheduled to hold this year on November 21 but that has now been postponed until next year by the fighter promoter Eddie Hearn, who via a tweet confirmed cancellation over Povetkin's health issues following his hospitalization for contracting the virus. 

"Unfortunately, we got the news today that Alexander Povetkin is in hospital after testing positive for Covid-19," Eddie wrote in a tweet on Tuesday.

In the first fight in August, Whyte was defeated in a knockout by the Russian fighter and triggered a rematch afterward. Initially, the British fighter had control of the fight and floored Povetkin twice before the Russian landed a right-handed uppercut on him and ended the fight with a knockout. 

                        Alexander Povetkin knocked put Dillian Whyte in the first fight.

Eddie added, "The fight will now be rescheduled to a target date of Jan 30. An announcement on our Nov. 21 show will be made shortly."

Bear in mind that the British fighter is bidding for a fight with Tyson Fury and Eddie did tease about setting a fight for the pair in his tweet, "Dillian Whyte vs Tyson Fury anyone?"

Meanwhile, Tyson has a fight on December 5 with German undefeated European champion Agit Kabayet after which he is expected to take on Anthony Joshua in a unification fight. However, Eddie's tweet might have just suggested Fury will be fighting Whyte instead.