DILLIAN WHYTE is in line to rematch Alexander Povetkin in November to try and salvage his shot at the WBC title next year.
Whyte, 32, saw his mandatory position for Tyson Fury’s belt go up in smoke after Alexander Povetkin, 40, brutally knocked him out.
It meant his guaranteed title fight for next year was instead handed over to Povetkin, with the gutted 32-year-old now needing to win it back from the Russian.
But with Anthony Joshua, 30, facing Kubrat Pulev in December and Fury, 31, also rematching Wilder, 34, promoter Eddie Hearn revealed Whyte’s pay-per-view rematch will need to happen a month prior.
Hearn told Boxing Social: “Dillian, really, has to go at the end of November at the latest.
“That would mean a three week rest now and getting back into camp.
“He’s physically fine, we know it was a bad knockout and there will be a 28 day suspension but which won’t really affect this fight.”
Whyte had threatened to scupper an undisputed title decider between Joshua and Fury, having been mandated to challenge for the WBC crown.
Now his 1,000 day wait as No1 challenger has vanished, and he could be made to wait another year, per the WBC’s rules.
But Hearn warned should he enact revenge on Povetkin before the year’s out, they could lobby to have Whyte face the winner between Wilder and Fury.
That would mean sticking to the original plan mapped out before the upset loss in the back garden of Matchroom’s HQ.
Hearn said: “There is going to be a big advantage for Povetkin and Whyte to do that fight before Wilder – Fury fight.
“Because then they can push their position with the WBC.
“That’s something we’ve got to speak to Povetkin about. I think Dillian would be right and ready to box at the end of November.
“Lets see if Povetkin – we know he’s under contract for the rematch – but he’s got to be comfortable to take that fight at that period as well.”
“I think all being well this fight could happen as early as November, but we’ll have to see how things go.”
Whyte appeared to be cruising against Povetkin, twice flooring him in the fourth.
But the following round saw the Soviet star land a lethal left uppercut, leaving Whyte for the second time in his career unconscious.
The beaten Brit remained modest in his shock loss, but vowed to return the favour in the rematch.
Whyte said on Instagram: “We are working on the rematch now, hopefully we can get it November/December time.
“I’m probably going to have another 10 or 12 days of rest and then I’ll get straight back into the gym and get ready.
“Trust me in the rematch I’ll knock Povetkin out, promise that. Watch this space.”
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