Dillian Whyte vs. TBA - Early 2021?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Eddie Hearn names three potential replacements for Alexander Povetkin

Dillian Whyte looks set to take on an alternative opponent next, as the proposed rematch with Alexander Povetkin has been held up due to the Russian still struggling in the aftermath of testing positive for coronavirus.

Promoter Eddie Hearn, meanwhile, has named Deontay Wilder, Andy Ruiz Jr and Luis Ortiz as Whyte’s desired alternatives.

In August, Whyte came into his most recent fight, with 40-year-old Povetkin, as a heavy favourite. Whyte was looking good for the victory until the fifth round. He was dominating with his jab, positive decision making and with his head movement, in particular bolstering his defence.

However, the fight came to a crushing halt in the form of a brutal uppercut from Povetkin. That night, Whyte lost his WBC interim heavyweight title and crucially the mandatory shot at Tyson Fury’s WBC title.

Talking to Sky Sports News, as per The Sun, Hearn revealed: "We will be reaching out to other players in the heavyweight division to see if they fancy it.

"Chisora is always ready. He another name to throw in the mix, potentially, for Whyte if the Povetkin fight is delayed. He is always in excellent fights, always entertaining, he is on a good form. But I really feel that Dillian needs to wipe that [defeat] off his record against Povetkin.”

In relation to the Povetkin rematch, Hearn stated: "That fight was planned for January 30 and previously November 21. Povetkin does need more time recovering from Covid but not too long. We expect him to have a four-week delay.

"When I conveyed that news to Whyte it didn't go down very well! His first question was, 'Who else can we fight?' Can we fight Luiz Ortiz, Deontay Wilder, Andy Ruiz Jr?' The answer is, 'Yes, any of those would be fantastic'. But he does want, more than anything, to avenge the defeat that he suffered at the hands of Povetkin.

"That is on his mind. So, I said to him, 'I think you should wait [to fight Povetkin]."

In order to re-establish his position on the rung just below the likes of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, Whyte’s next bout is crucial.

Of Wilder, Ruiz Jr and Ortiz, only the latter won his last bout. However, all three of these fights are very challenging, but come with huge up-sides in terms of how impressive wins will look on his CV.

Chisora looks the most likely next opponent, however, despite having lost twice to Whyte already and offering little to boost his chances of getting close to world titles.

This should be an easier fight to make, with Chisora surely desperate for revenge and Whyte looking to stay active until he can exact his own revenge on Povetkin.

[margaret thatcher]

all those are pbc dudes, al loves to keep things in house doesnt he

[Ruthless-RKO]

all those are pbc dudes

Yeh, who else is there?

Hearn has a good relationship with Big Al doesn't he?

[margaret thatcher]

is eddeh on good enough terms with mike hunter?

[watsupdoc87]

Best off fighting a can so he doesn't get knocked out before the pov rematch

[margaret thatcher]

im not sure about waiting around for pov at this point, seems like it could be a situation that drags along with uncertainty . maybe pov is actually trolling him

i like hunter although his name isnt in the mix there---you beat him and you at least beat a guy who drew with pov

[Ruthless-RKO]

Best off fighting a can so he doesn't get knocked out before the pov rematch

Yeh, then he'd be chasing two rematches..

[Ruthless-RKO]

I think he should fight someone. Penty of HW's with name value that he can knock off.

At least he can get in the ring and have a few rounds is what i'm saying. He should be at fighting weight, he went back in the gym not long after his KO loss and already had the fight postponed once.

[Jimmy2020]

I said it the other day and I will say it again, Sasha is either not coming back full stop or he's coming back for a final big payday and will retire in two rounds or less with the illness to blame. It has goosed him.

Whyte got beat by an old Povetkin. There is no redemption in beating a Covid-19 victim whose lungs are mince.

[joshj909]

Whyte Vs Wilder would have a great build up with neither of them speaking or typing a coherent sentence. Someone would get knocked out for sure.

He could beat Ortiz but the old man does pose a threat of he doesn't stay on the ball, similar to Povetkin but less so. If he loses then he falls way down the pecking order.

Ruiz would be a good one. Its one he can easily win and one he can easily lose depending on how they both prepare. A loss wouldn't be as detrimental to his ranking as losing to Ortiz.

I'd be happy with any of them. Depending on which one he chooses, it would show what his ambitions are for the next 12 months.

[Twinkle Toes]

No Chisora 3 please - I can't believe its being mentioned.

[emallini]

Wilder would be very entertaining while it lasted but won't happen.

[tonyevs]

Wilder would be the fans choice.
It also has potential to really answer how good Furys win over Wilder was.

[Jimmy2020]

Wilder would be very entertaining while it lasted but won't happen.

Why not?

[Gnome]

There's no way he'll get a big name like the ones listed. Think Sergey Kuzmin might be a shout. Maybe Helenius.

[Cyclops]

Absolutely Wilder.

[dookus]

Whyte Vs Wilder would have a great build up with neither of them speaking or typing a coherent sentence. Someone would get knocked out for sure.

He could beat Ortiz but the old man does pose a threat of he doesn't stay on the ball, similar to Povetkin but less so. If he loses then he falls way down the pecking order.

Ruiz would be a good one. Its one he can easily win and one he can easily lose depending on how they both prepare. A loss wouldn't be as detrimental to his ranking as losing to Ortiz.

I'd be happy with any of them. Depending on which one he chooses, it would show what his ambitions are for the next 12 months.

Ruiz v Whyte I'd pay for, great call. If both are in shape I'd take Ruiz - I can just see Whyte lingering inside too long and/or getting drawn into a brawl and having no answer to those lightening doughy fists landing in 2s and 3s

[Jimmy2020]

Absolutely Wilder.

If I were Wilder I'd tell Eddie I'd fight Whyte in the UK 60:40 ppv split in my favour. Eddie would make that happen and Wilder would earn plenty.

Not sure his owners would allow that of course.

[Counter-puncher]

Wilder would be very entertaining while it lasted but won't happen.

Why not?

Because Boxing?

[CaptainSpacerod]

Hughie Fury or Joe Joyce both of whom beat him

[oogiebe]

I'd like to see Hrg step up and take on Dil. If he's the real deal, it'd be the perfect fight for him.

[Heretic]

Hughie Fury or Joe Joyce both of whom beat him

This two seem like good options for me. Both winnable fights for Whyte and would generate some interest in UK.

Whyte needs to face a good name next. He needs to keep the momentum going that he had before the Povetkin upset.

Whyte should and probably will stay the hell away from Ruiz. He would get totally splattered. Whyte is not good enough boxer to beat Ruiz that way and he would loose in firefight.

Wilder would be ideal fight. Could make some coin and winner would be back in the mix for the top fights. 50/50 fight in my eyes.

Ortiz is another good option. He is getting old and is beatable. Big enough name to get back on tract ranking vice.

Hunter is another great option. I think he would take the fight. Would be a hard night for Whyte but I think he would win.

Chisora, Kuzmin, Hammer and Helenius would all be big step down

[DrDuke]

Wilder, Ruiz, Ortiz - all good options.

[joshj909]

He has said he would like to face Ortiz in February... And then Povetkin in May. He may have not got the memo.

[stujones]

Wouldn't mind seeing Whyte vs Pulev at some point - love to see how Whyte copes with someone who "can't box" - as Whyte often said on the 5 live commentary on Saturday.