DILLIAN WHYTE has claimed that Alexander Povetkin didn’t have coronavirus after their heavyweight rematch was delayed.
The Russian dramatically downed Whyte in August with a stunning uppercut KO.
Alexander Povetkin and Dillian Whyte are set to rematch after the Russian received in AugustCredit score: Mark Robinson Ltd
However any hopes of a 2020 rematch between the pair had been ended when Povetkin, 41, was admitted to hospital in early November.
Launched this week, the heavyweight’s sickness has been known as into query by Whyte – who reckons he was merely recovering from the ‘harm’ of their first contest.
The Brit informed Sky Sports: “I personally do not suppose he is bought Covid.
“I believe he simply wanted extra time to prepare, as a result of he took quite a lot of harm within the first struggle.
“After the primary struggle, he took quite a lot of day off.
“Despite the fact that I bought stopped, I went straight again to coaching and I bought straight again on it.”
Whyte, 32, had received his earlier 11 fights earlier than the defeat to Povektin.
Forward of the rematch, he has insisted he’s blissful to ‘preserve bettering’ within the coaching ring.
Povetkin’s promoter Andrey Ryabinskiy hit again at Whyte’s feedback and said that he’s prepared to launch official medical paperwork proving his man’s an infection.
He asserted: “There are such a lot of completely different opinions. Let’s not hearken to opinions, however be guided by information and make selections.
“The information are easy – [Alexander] bought coronavirus, and we had been compelled to postpone the struggle. This could occur to any athlete.
“He was within the hospital, we have now all of the paperwork at hand. If Eddie Hearn has any query of this type, I’m able to submit all these paperwork.
“Clearly, it’s extra worthwhile for us to have a rematch with Whyte after his defeat as quickly as doable.”
Ryabinskiy has confirmed that Povetkin is being handled at dwelling and may take a while to fully recover from coronavirus.
He added: “He had a somewhat tough type of coronavirus, however he handed this disaster interval, the docs put him again on his ft.
“He’s now feeling effectively, no issues have been recognized.
“In the intervening time, his major activity is to revive well being and return to the mandatory bodily form.”
Whyte’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has informed the heavyweight to stay calm within the face of the delay – unless Tyson Fury comes calling.
A preliminary date of January 30 has been set for the rematch though Povetkin’s camp are as but unwilling to rubberstamp the schedule.
Hearn informed reporters final week: “I stated to Dillian, ‘Until we get requested to struggle Tyson Fury, you have simply bought to attend till January 30’.”
