(Picture By Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)

Dillian Whyte Vs. Alexander Povetkin Called Off By Matchroom Boxing

By Fight Sports Jun 3, 2020

Although they tried, Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing were unable to reasonably hold together a huge fight within the heavyweight division. Per a release and World Boxing News, an interim WBC Heavyweight Title fight between Dillian Whyte and Alexander Povetkin has been called off.

Refunds are available for the proposed July 4 event at the point of purchase.

Whyte and Povetkin were supposed to face one another on May 2 in Manchester. The fight was postponed due to the coronavirus and it was rebooked for July. Hearn even offered to have the bout in his backyard, as he is in the process of turning the backyard of Matchroom’s UK office into a venue for fights. Now, thanks in part to the UK government and the British Boxing Board of Control, the fight is in limbo. There is a possibility it happens again in August, per The Independent.

Whyte (27-1) has not fought since December when he beat Mariusz Wach via unanimous decision. On an eleven-fight win streak, “The Body Snatcher” won the interim WBC title against Oscar Rivas in July. The 32-year-old has been the number one-ranked fighter for the WBC since 2017.

Whyte has been waiting a while for his shot at the WBC title, currently held by Tyson Fury. If Deontay Wilder is unable to fight in the trilogy bout between himself and Fury, Whyte has offered his services. The WBC has until the February 2021 deadline to give Whyte a match with the champion. Whyte is also interested in fighting UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou, and the potential time off could give him that opportunity.

Povetkin (35-2-1) last fought in December as well, fighting Michael Hunter to a split decision draw. He is 1-1-1 in his last three fights, his last win against Hughie Fury for the vacant WBA International Heavyweight Title. The former WBA Heavyweight Champion is looking for another shot at championship glory, last fighting for world titles in 2013 against Wladimir Klitschko.

It is unknown if other bouts potentially scheduled for that July event will also be nixed. Hearn and Matchroom have been adamant that some fights require fans to be involved, and this might be one of them.