Alexander Povetkin – Dillian Whyte Rematch Canceled
The effects of COVID-19 continue to impact the sport of boxing. This time, the latest fighter to contract the virus is current WBC “Interim” Heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin (36-2-1, 25 KOs).
Matchroom Boxing CEO, Eddie Hearn, took to social media to announce that Povetkin has been hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19 on November 3rd. As a result, his scheduled November 21 rematch against Dillian Whyte (27-2, 18 KOs) is postponed.
Povetkin’s promoter, Andrey Ryabinskiy, gave an update on the fighter’s condition during an interview with Sky Sports.
“Povetkin fell ill with a coronavirus infection and is now under the supervision of doctors in one of the Moscow clinics, taking care of his health.
The course of the disease is normal. There is a fever, but there are no critical complications. We will hope that he will be able to recover quickly enough, but we think that the fight will only take place next year.”
Shockwaves were sent throughout the boxing world when Povetkin defeated Whyte by fifth-round knockout on August 22. Whyte asked for and was given an immediate rematch. Anticipation is that Povetkin v Whyte II will be rescheduled for January 2021.
FIGHTERS CONTINUE TO CONTRACT COVID-19
This development comes a day after news of Ring Magazine and WBA World Junior Flyweight champion Hiroto Kyuguchi’s (14-0, 9 KOs) scheduled November 3 title defense was canceled after testing positive for the same virus.
It is a disturbing pattern, to be sure. The COVID-19 pandemic currently has no visible end in sight. These cases demonstrate how careful all parties have to be during these tenuous moments as the sport attempts to cope.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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