DILLIAN WHYTE’S rematch against Alexander Povetkin cannot be made official until he passes a medical check once his suspension is over.
Whyte was brutally knocked out in the fifth round against Povetkin last month, but has exercised his right to an immediate rematch.
Promoter Eddie Hearn announced the rerun is set for November 21 – but the fight is yet to be signed off by the British Board of Boxing Control.
Boxing News editor Matt Christie revealed BBoBC chief Robert Smith has stressed that Whyte is suspended for 48 days, not the widely reported 28.
After those 48 days are completed on October 9, he will undergo medicals before his licence can be reinstated and the rematch officially confirmed.
Whyte is not only fighting for revenge but also his right to challenge for Tyson Fury’s heavyweight title.
Following defeat, the 32-year-old surrendered his WBC mandatory position that guaranteed him a crack at the belt in 2021.
With the stakes raised even more in the rematch, Hearn conceded a second defeat against 41-year-old Povetkin would be ‘terminal’ for Whyte’s title hopes.
He told Sky Sports: “All of a sudden, the pressure is not just on trying to become the mandatory and fight Fury.
“This is the pressure of his career on November 21.
“Controlling the fight, a brutal knockout, and all of a sudden like that, his career spins on its head.
“He’s hugely motivated to put this right, but it’s extremely dangerous and of course, moving into the rematch, just 13 weeks after the first fight is very, very dangerous.
“But Dillian Whyte wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I think [defeat] is terminal for his world title chances – and that’s obviously the ultimate aim for him. I think he knows the pressures.
“He was deeply disappointed with getting knocked out from an amazing bit of skill from Povetkin and he’s got to put that right.”
