Tag: Alexander Povetkin

Dillian Whyte ready for comeback after enduring ‘life in tatters’ in 2019

Dillian Whyte, eager to put a difficult 2019 behind him, is fit physically and mentally for his fight with Alexander Povetkin on Saturday.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.

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Dillian Whyte expects to beat Alexander Povetkin on Saturday after his own career was “in tatters” last year.

Whyte was suspended after a drug test during fight week against Oscar Rivas in July 2019 revealed an “adverse finding,” though he was cleared in December. He returned to action that same month on the Anthony Joshua-Andy Ruiz Jr. undercard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he looked rusty but managed to defeat Polish fighter Mariusz Wach.

Now, with his challenging 2019 behind him,Whyte is optimistic about the future. He trained for five productive months in Portugal before returning to England to face Povetkin at Fight Camp  in Brentwood, outside London. He sees this as an opportunity to show the world what he can do.

The card will be streamed on DAZN.

“I haven’t got any issues outside of the ring,” he said. “I feel mentally and physically strong. I’ve prepared well, and the whole of last year was a write-off.

“I had a lot of issues, different things on my mind. I’m fighting for my career. When people say things about you, you can’t defend yourself. My stock plummeted, and now I’m in a good place, back where I should be.

“I’ve got a chance to shine against a good fighter and to be a credible fighter.”

Whyte defeated Wach by a unanimous decision but didn’t look like the fighter who beat Dereck Chisora twice, Joseph Parker and Robert Helenius, among others, since he was stopped by Anthony Joshua in his own only title fight in 2017.

The problem was obvious: Lack of proper preparation, which certainly isn’t an issue going into the Povetkin fight. The time in Portugal was part of a fresh start., which he believes will produce positive results.

“In the situation, I had three weeks notice,” he said of the Wach fight. “I wasn’t training, I wasn’t in any form or shape to fight. But for my mentality, my longevity, as a person and for my mental health, I had to fight regardless.”

“… I was able to train, able to shift some unwanted weight [in Portugal]. Last year, my career was in tatters, my life was in tatters. My status as a fighter and my credibility as a person was in shambles.

“It was good to get away and focus. It was what I needed. I never change, I’m just in better shape sometimes, more motivated sometimes. Sometimes I’ve got things going on in and around the game, but this time I feel good. I’m ready to rock. I’ve trained hard.

“I’m fit. You can tell by looking at my face that I’m healthy. My face is back to normal.”

Whyte acknowledged that Povetkin poses a threat given the 40-year-old Russian’s wealth of experience but expects to be successful and use the fight as preparation for even bigger challenges.

“Povetkin has probably fought 40 guys like me as an amateur, much less a pro,” he said. “So for me, it’s just learning and improving, so when it does come, I’ve ticked the box so I’m ready to stand up and become a world champion.

“It’s a hard fight. Nobody could ever say it’s an easy fight. You can see him for 15 years consistently at this level, giving world champions a problem. He gave [Wladimir] Klitscko a problem a few years ago.

“He’s technically sound, gives a good punch. He’s 40, but guys go on longer and stronger, getting better, these days. … He’s a very aggressive fighter. He’s strong, solid, and he comes forward.

“I don’t think he can stop me. I make technical mistakes, so who knows what they will try? They might come out earlier, they may wait. Let’s see what happens. I’m prepared for whatever.”

Dillian Whyte ready for comeback after enduring ‘life in tatters’ in 2019

Dillian Whyte, eager to put a difficult 2019 behind him, is fit physically and mentally for his fight with Alexander Povetkin on Saturday.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.

***

Dillian Whyte expects to beat Alexander Povetkin on Saturday after his own career was “in tatters” last year.

Whyte was suspended after a drug test during fight week against Oscar Rivas in July 2019 revealed an “adverse finding,” though he was cleared in December. He returned to action that same month on the Anthony Joshua-Andy Ruiz Jr. undercard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he looked rusty but managed to defeat Polish fighter Mariusz Wach.

Now, with his challenging 2019 behind him,Whyte is optimistic about the future. He trained for five productive months in Portugal before returning to England to face Povetkin at Fight Camp  in Brentwood, outside London. He sees this as an opportunity to show the world what he can do.

The card will be streamed on DAZN.

“I haven’t got any issues outside of the ring,” he said. “I feel mentally and physically strong. I’ve prepared well, and the whole of last year was a write-off.

“I had a lot of issues, different things on my mind. I’m fighting for my career. When people say things about you, you can’t defend yourself. My stock plummeted, and now I’m in a good place, back where I should be.

“I’ve got a chance to shine against a good fighter and to be a credible fighter.”

Whyte defeated Wach by a unanimous decision but didn’t look like the fighter who beat Dereck Chisora twice, Joseph Parker and Robert Helenius, among others, since he was stopped by Anthony Joshua in his own only title fight in 2017.

The problem was obvious: Lack of proper preparation, which certainly isn’t an issue going into the Povetkin fight. The time in Portugal was part of a fresh start., which he believes will produce positive results.

“In the situation, I had three weeks notice,” he said of the Wach fight. “I wasn’t training, I wasn’t in any form or shape to fight. But for my mentality, my longevity, as a person and for my mental health, I had to fight regardless.”

“… I was able to train, able to shift some unwanted weight [in Portugal]. Last year, my career was in tatters, my life was in tatters. My status as a fighter and my credibility as a person was in shambles.

“It was good to get away and focus. It was what I needed. I never change, I’m just in better shape sometimes, more motivated sometimes. Sometimes I’ve got things going on in and around the game, but this time I feel good. I’m ready to rock. I’ve trained hard.

“I’m fit. You can tell by looking at my face that I’m healthy. My face is back to normal.”

Whyte acknowledged that Povetkin poses a threat given the 40-year-old Russian’s wealth of experience but expects to be successful and use the fight as preparation for even bigger challenges.

“Povetkin has probably fought 40 guys like me as an amateur, much less a pro,” he said. “So for me, it’s just learning and improving, so when it does come, I’ve ticked the box so I’m ready to stand up and become a world champion.

“It’s a hard fight. Nobody could ever say it’s an easy fight. You can see him for 15 years consistently at this level, giving world champions a problem. He gave [Wladimir] Klitscko a problem a few years ago.

“He’s technically sound, gives a good punch. He’s 40, but guys go on longer and stronger, getting better, these days. … He’s a very aggressive fighter. He’s strong, solid, and he comes forward.

“I don’t think he can stop me. I make technical mistakes, so who knows what they will try? They might come out earlier, they may wait. Let’s see what happens. I’m prepared for whatever.”

Dillian Whyte worried Tyson Fury will duck WBC title fight

Dillian Whyte is worried that Tyson Fury will give his WBC title rather than defend it against him.

Editor’s note: This article originally was published on DAZN.com.

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Dillian Whyte says he hopes Tyson Fury won’t be a “coward” and duck out of a WBC title fight.

Whyte is scheduled to defend his “interim” title against Alexander Povetkin at Fight Camp on Saturday in Brentwood, England. A victory would set up a fight between the winner of Fury vs. Deontay Wilder III.

Fury’s co-promoter Frank Warren has suggested that any match-up between his fighter and Whyte is not under consideration because he wants to set up a title-unification clash between Fury and Anthony Joshua.

The WBC have confirmed that the next fight for the victor of Fury-Wilder would have to be against Whyte, and the Jamaican-born Briton criticized the pair on Wednesday afternoon when speaking to the press.

“Frank Warren can say whatever he wants, he says a lot of things,” Whyte said. “I think the WBC have come out and said it for the first time. They can’t go back on their word. I don’t think they would want the embarrassment that comes with that, and rightly so.

“It’s not like I haven’t earned it. It’s been almost three years now.”

Whyte, 32, then turned his attention to Fury and accused him of reneging on fighting him.

“He hasn’t been honurable to me at all. One minute he says he’ll fight me, the next he’s saying he won’t,” Whyte said. “Tyson talks a lot of rubbish. He says whatever he thinks. He doesn’t stick to anything he says. He’ll say one thing today, another tomorrow. His mind is like the wind, always changing.”

Warren has floated a potential clash between Whyte and another of his boxers, Daniel Dubois, and Whyte gave the suggestion short shrift.

“Frank needs to stay off the liquor,” he said. “He’s just trying to deviate from the Tyson Fury fight. Why would I fight Daniel Dubois when I am eligible for the WBC title?

“Daniel Dubois brings nothing whatsoever to the table. There’s no reason for me to fight him. They’re just trying to throw some bait out there for me to bite.”

Fury would have to give up his title if he doesn’t fight Whyte. If that happens, Whyte believes he should be elevated to champion, but he’d prefer to win the title in the ring.

“If they strip him, I shouldn’t have to fight anyone for the title because I’m interim champion,” he said. “I’ve had enough fights to justify being a world champion. I want to fight Tyson Fury. He says he’s the best heavyweight alive, and he’s the best heavyweight to walk the planet, and I want to fight the best.

“Hopefully he’s going to be a man of his word, not be a coward and vacate the belt.”

Dillian Whyte worried Tyson Fury will duck WBC title fight

Dillian Whyte is worried that Tyson Fury will give his WBC title rather than defend it against him.

Editor’s note: This article originally was published on DAZN.com.

***

Dillian Whyte says he hopes Tyson Fury won’t be a “coward” and duck out of a WBC title fight.

Whyte is scheduled to defend his “interim” title against Alexander Povetkin at Fight Camp on Saturday in Brentwood, England. A victory would set up a fight between the winner of Fury vs. Deontay Wilder III.

Fury’s co-promoter Frank Warren has suggested that any match-up between his fighter and Whyte is not under consideration because he wants to set up a title-unification clash between Fury and Anthony Joshua.

The WBC have confirmed that the next fight for the victor of Fury-Wilder would have to be against Whyte, and the Jamaican-born Briton criticized the pair on Wednesday afternoon when speaking to the press.

“Frank Warren can say whatever he wants, he says a lot of things,” Whyte said. “I think the WBC have come out and said it for the first time. They can’t go back on their word. I don’t think they would want the embarrassment that comes with that, and rightly so.

“It’s not like I haven’t earned it. It’s been almost three years now.”

Whyte, 32, then turned his attention to Fury and accused him of reneging on fighting him.

“He hasn’t been honurable to me at all. One minute he says he’ll fight me, the next he’s saying he won’t,” Whyte said. “Tyson talks a lot of rubbish. He says whatever he thinks. He doesn’t stick to anything he says. He’ll say one thing today, another tomorrow. His mind is like the wind, always changing.”

Warren has floated a potential clash between Whyte and another of his boxers, Daniel Dubois, and Whyte gave the suggestion short shrift.

“Frank needs to stay off the liquor,” he said. “He’s just trying to deviate from the Tyson Fury fight. Why would I fight Daniel Dubois when I am eligible for the WBC title?

“Daniel Dubois brings nothing whatsoever to the table. There’s no reason for me to fight him. They’re just trying to throw some bait out there for me to bite.”

Fury would have to give up his title if he doesn’t fight Whyte. If that happens, Whyte believes he should be elevated to champion, but he’d prefer to win the title in the ring.

“If they strip him, I shouldn’t have to fight anyone for the title because I’m interim champion,” he said. “I’ve had enough fights to justify being a world champion. I want to fight Tyson Fury. He says he’s the best heavyweight alive, and he’s the best heavyweight to walk the planet, and I want to fight the best.

“Hopefully he’s going to be a man of his word, not be a coward and vacate the belt.”

Katie Taylor says she’ll silence critics in rematch with Delfine Persoon

Katie Taylor said she will leave no doubt about her ability when she faces Delfine Persoon a second time on Saturday outside London.

Katie Taylor said she will leave no doubt about her ability when she faces Delfine Persoon a second time at Fight Camp on Saturday outside London.

Taylor (15-0, 6 KOs) added a belt to her lightweight collection when she defeated Persoon (44-2, 18 KOs) by a majority decision in June of last year in New York, which some – including Persoon – believe was a gift for the Irish star.

If Taylor wins, she could face newly crowned welterweight champ Jessica McCaskill, who Taylor outpointed in 2017. McCaskill took Cecilia Braekhus’ titles in an upset this past Saturday.

“I’m in this sport to create history and leave a great legacy,” Taylor said. “These are the kind of fights that are going to leave a great legacy in my career. The first fight was too close for my liking. It has been hanging over my head over the last year, so I was delighted when the rematch was nailed down.

“I’m looking forward to putting on a more dominant performance on August 22nd and shutting up everyone that has criticized me over the last year. I did watch the fight back and it was obviously a very close fight. That’s why there is a rematch.

“I definitely couldn’t have given her more than five rounds, so for people to say it was a disgraceful decision or it was a robbery, is a disgrace in itself. I felt like I deserved to win the fight even though it was very close. I wanted this rematch.

“At the end of the day, I want to be involved in the biggest fights and the fights that people are interested in. This is a huge fight for me and for Persoon. It’s a huge fight for the sport. I think I’m going to be a completely different fighter on August 22nd.

“I think people are going to see a completely different performance and a completely different fight from my perspective. I got drawn into a bit of a fight in the first one and sometimes that happens. I’m definitely going to be a bit more disciplined in this fight.

“I’m going to be ready for whatever Persoon throws at me. I’m completely prepared for this fight. I’ve been training for a big fight since January, so I’m more than ready to step in and put on a dominant performance.”

Taylor-Persoon shares a card with the Dillian Whyte-Alexander Povetkin fight for the “interim” WBC heavyweight title.

Katie Taylor says she’ll silence critics in rematch with Delfine Persoon

Katie Taylor said she will leave no doubt about her ability when she faces Delfine Persoon a second time on Saturday outside London.

Katie Taylor said she will leave no doubt about her ability when she faces Delfine Persoon a second time at Fight Camp on Saturday outside London.

Taylor (15-0, 6 KOs) added a belt to her lightweight collection when she defeated Persoon (44-2, 18 KOs) by a majority decision in June of last year in New York, which some – including Persoon – believe was a gift for the Irish star.

If Taylor wins, she could face newly crowned welterweight champ Jessica McCaskill, who Taylor outpointed in 2017. McCaskill took Cecilia Braekhus’ titles in an upset this past Saturday.

“I’m in this sport to create history and leave a great legacy,” Taylor said. “These are the kind of fights that are going to leave a great legacy in my career. The first fight was too close for my liking. It has been hanging over my head over the last year, so I was delighted when the rematch was nailed down.

“I’m looking forward to putting on a more dominant performance on August 22nd and shutting up everyone that has criticized me over the last year. I did watch the fight back and it was obviously a very close fight. That’s why there is a rematch.

“I definitely couldn’t have given her more than five rounds, so for people to say it was a disgraceful decision or it was a robbery, is a disgrace in itself. I felt like I deserved to win the fight even though it was very close. I wanted this rematch.

“At the end of the day, I want to be involved in the biggest fights and the fights that people are interested in. This is a huge fight for me and for Persoon. It’s a huge fight for the sport. I think I’m going to be a completely different fighter on August 22nd.

“I think people are going to see a completely different performance and a completely different fight from my perspective. I got drawn into a bit of a fight in the first one and sometimes that happens. I’m definitely going to be a bit more disciplined in this fight.

“I’m going to be ready for whatever Persoon throws at me. I’m completely prepared for this fight. I’ve been training for a big fight since January, so I’m more than ready to step in and put on a dominant performance.”

Taylor-Persoon shares a card with the Dillian Whyte-Alexander Povetkin fight for the “interim” WBC heavyweight title.

Eddie Hearn: Anthony Joshua willing to fight Dillian Whyte if Tyson Fury doesn’t

Eddie Hearn said that Anthony Joshua is ready to face Dillian Whyte if the Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder III winner doesn’t.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.

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Eddie Hearn has confirmed that Anthony Joshua is ready to face Dillian Whyte if Tyson Fury beats Deontay Wilder in their third fight, fails to defend and is stripped of his title.

Whyte is due to take on Alexander Povetkin on Aug. 22, though Joshua is not convinced the British fighter will come through unscathed.

A win for Whyte would nevertheless set up a clash with the winner of the fight between WBC heavyweight titleholder Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, which is expected to take place late this year or early next year.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Hearn said: “Looking at the bigger undisputed picture, all Joshua wants is the WBC title. He was never worried if it came against Wilder or Fury. Whoever owns that belt is who Joshua will face for the undisputed championship.”

The Matchroom promoter set out how Whyte could find himself as Joshua’s opponent for a unification fight if the winner of Fury-Wilder III fails to take on the winner of Whyte-Povetkin.

“We know the winner of Saturday’s fight will be ordered to face the winner of Fury vs Wilder,” he said. “If Fury [or Wilder] does not want to fight Whyte, then Whyte will be elevated to champion from interim champion.

“Now I do not like that. But what will happen? Joshua will fight Whyte straight away for the undisputed championship. You always want to fight a champion.

“But if Fury [or Wilder] refuses to do a fight that has been ordered by the WBC, then he will be stripped of his title. Then Whyte will be fighting for the undisputed championship.

“Whyte has had the bad end of the stick for a long time but could end up, if he’s successful, fighting Joshua for the undisputed championship. So this is massive for him.”

Hearn questioned Whyte’s choices of opponent

“For Whyte, he has waited over 1,000 days for this opportunity, but Povetkin could steal it from under his nose,” Hearn said. “I still can’t believe Whyte is taking these risks.

“When you sit as the mandatory challenger, what you don’t do is fight Joseph Parker, Derek Chisora, Oscar Rivas and Povetkin while you wait. What is Whyte doing by fighting Povetkin here?

“This isn’t The O2. This will be the strangest environment either guy has ever boxed in.”

The promoter talked up what these decisions meant for Whyte’s reputation as a fighter.

“Whyte, time and time again, puts it all on the line. He is the peoples’ champion,” Hearn said. “Whyte is not your average individual. He has built a mind-set over the last three months in training camp, although he has had it for most of his life, that he’s ready to flick the switch and go to war with Povetkin.”

The prospective Joshua-Whyte clash would not just be a potential unifying bout, but could serve to settle the rivalry between the two heavyweights. Joshua knocked out Whyte in 2015, his only career loss.

Joshua, who holds three of the four major titles, also stopped Povetkin in seven rounds in 2018 but did not have an easy time of it, and Hearn suggested that the 40-year-old Russian will not be a pushover for Whyte.

“I spoke to AJ who doesn’t like this fight for Whyte,” he said. “He thinks that this is a banana skin and that Povetkin could upset the odds.”

Mauricio Sulaiman of the WBC, whose belt Fury holds, refused to speculate on the potential permutations suggested by Hearn.

“We can only rule on what is available and what is the reality,” he said. “The WBC position is clear: Wilder-Fury, the winner against Whyte, if he wins against Povetkin.”

Whyte will face Povetkin in the main event at Fight Camp Week 4.

Eddie Hearn: Anthony Joshua willing to fight Dillian Whyte if Tyson Fury doesn’t

Eddie Hearn said that Anthony Joshua is ready to face Dillian Whyte if the Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder III winner doesn’t.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.

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Eddie Hearn has confirmed that Anthony Joshua is ready to face Dillian Whyte if Tyson Fury beats Deontay Wilder in their third fight, fails to defend and is stripped of his title.

Whyte is due to take on Alexander Povetkin on Aug. 22, though Joshua is not convinced the British fighter will come through unscathed.

A win for Whyte would nevertheless set up a clash with the winner of the fight between WBC heavyweight titleholder Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, which is expected to take place late this year or early next year.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Hearn said: “Looking at the bigger undisputed picture, all Joshua wants is the WBC title. He was never worried if it came against Wilder or Fury. Whoever owns that belt is who Joshua will face for the undisputed championship.”

The Matchroom promoter set out how Whyte could find himself as Joshua’s opponent for a unification fight if the winner of Fury-Wilder III fails to take on the winner of Whyte-Povetkin.

“We know the winner of Saturday’s fight will be ordered to face the winner of Fury vs Wilder,” he said. “If Fury [or Wilder] does not want to fight Whyte, then Whyte will be elevated to champion from interim champion.

“Now I do not like that. But what will happen? Joshua will fight Whyte straight away for the undisputed championship. You always want to fight a champion.

“But if Fury [or Wilder] refuses to do a fight that has been ordered by the WBC, then he will be stripped of his title. Then Whyte will be fighting for the undisputed championship.

“Whyte has had the bad end of the stick for a long time but could end up, if he’s successful, fighting Joshua for the undisputed championship. So this is massive for him.”

Hearn questioned Whyte’s choices of opponent

“For Whyte, he has waited over 1,000 days for this opportunity, but Povetkin could steal it from under his nose,” Hearn said. “I still can’t believe Whyte is taking these risks.

“When you sit as the mandatory challenger, what you don’t do is fight Joseph Parker, Derek Chisora, Oscar Rivas and Povetkin while you wait. What is Whyte doing by fighting Povetkin here?

“This isn’t The O2. This will be the strangest environment either guy has ever boxed in.”

The promoter talked up what these decisions meant for Whyte’s reputation as a fighter.

“Whyte, time and time again, puts it all on the line. He is the peoples’ champion,” Hearn said. “Whyte is not your average individual. He has built a mind-set over the last three months in training camp, although he has had it for most of his life, that he’s ready to flick the switch and go to war with Povetkin.”

The prospective Joshua-Whyte clash would not just be a potential unifying bout, but could serve to settle the rivalry between the two heavyweights. Joshua knocked out Whyte in 2015, his only career loss.

Joshua, who holds three of the four major titles, also stopped Povetkin in seven rounds in 2018 but did not have an easy time of it, and Hearn suggested that the 40-year-old Russian will not be a pushover for Whyte.

“I spoke to AJ who doesn’t like this fight for Whyte,” he said. “He thinks that this is a banana skin and that Povetkin could upset the odds.”

Mauricio Sulaiman of the WBC, whose belt Fury holds, refused to speculate on the potential permutations suggested by Hearn.

“We can only rule on what is available and what is the reality,” he said. “The WBC position is clear: Wilder-Fury, the winner against Whyte, if he wins against Povetkin.”

Whyte will face Povetkin in the main event at Fight Camp Week 4.

Katie Taylor, Delfine Persoon agree to rematch on Whyte-Povetkin card

Katie Taylor and Delfine Persoon have agreed to a rematch on the Dillian Whyte-Alexander Povetkin card Aug. 22.

Katie Taylor and Delfine Persoon reportedly will do it again.

Taylor, the undisputed lightweight titleholder, will face Persoon in a rematch on the Dillian Whyte-Alexander Povetkin card Aug. 22 at Matchroom Boxing’s Fight Camp outside London.

Taylor (15-0, 6 KOs) unified the lightweight titles by a close majority decision over Persoon in June of last year in New York, after which Persoon cried robbery. The scores were 96-94, 96-94 and 95-95.

The 2012 Olympic champion from Ireland added a junior welterweight title by outpointing Christina Linardatou in November, thus becoming a two-division champion, but she’s moving back down because the magnitude of the rematch.

She had hoped to fight Amanda Serrano but the parties couldn’t reach terms.

“With Amanda Serrano not taking the fight, I wanted the biggest fight possible in August, and I think a second Persoon fight is one that everyone wants to see,” Taylor said, according to Sky Sports.

“I’ve been looking forward to a rematch ever since the first fight, and I’m delighted it’s been made. It was definitely very close first time around, but I felt I deserved the win, and I intend to leave no doubts in the rematch.”

Persoon (44-2, 18 KOs) lost a sanctioning-body belt she had held for five years against Taylor. The Belgian veteran believes she has received an opportunity to right a wrong.

“I am ready to get the victory following the injustice last June in New York,” Persoon said. “Not by words, but in the ring. I am ready!”

Persoon is coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Helen Joseph in November.

Welcome to Eddie Hearn’s ‘Matchroom Square Garden’

Promoter Eddie Hearn on his “Fight Camp” series: “We need to make sure those fights are compelling.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that a series of August fight nights will take place in his garden, with Dillian Whyte’s heavyweight showdown against Alexander Povetkin the standout bout.

Boxing, like most other sports, went on a hiatus earlier this year when the coronavirus pandemic spread across the world.

However, boxing and UFC cards have recently returned in the United States behind closed doors, and Matchroom promoter Hearn had spoken of his ambitious plans to resume boxing in the United Kingdom, too, in a special ring built in the garden of the Matchroom headquarters in Essex, outside London.

Matchroom’s “Fight Camp” will see boxers brought into a bubble before fighting on four dates between Aug. 1 and Aug. 22.
The final night will see Katie Taylor put her lightweight titles on the line against an as-yet-unnamed opponent before Whyte and Povetkin meet in a heavyweight fight.

“We’ve of course got Madison Square Garden, this is Matchroom Square Garden,” Hearn told Sky Sports. “We’ve been working diligently with the British Boxing Board of Control for the last three months. We’re in a position where we know the procedures that have to take place to make the sport safe to return.

“We feel like we’ve done it at the right time, we feel like everything’s safe. We’ve got a brilliant schedule of fights lined up and we can’t wait to bring boxing back to your screens.

“We have no crowd, we don’t have the 80,000 singing ‘Sweet Caroline’ and have the energy of the audience, but what we do have is the beauty of boxing, the rawness of the sport.

“We need to make sure those fights are compelling.”

Whyte has long been the mandatory challenger for the belt held by Tyson Fury, who is set to face Deontay Wilder for a third time after taking the strap off the American in February.

A path to a future fight with Fury has been further complicated by the title-holder having already agreed two bouts against fellow Brit Anthony Joshua, who has the rest of the division’s major belts.