The WBC has reiterated that the winner of Tyson Fury’s trilogy bout with Deontay Wilder must face mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte in early 2021.
Brixton’s Whyte (27-1, 18 KOs) needs to first overcome former WBA champion Alexander Povetkin (35-2-1, 24 KOs) in their heavyweight bout on August 22 at Matchroom’s Fight Camp in Brentwood.
“The WBC has reviewed every single weight category, considering the pandemic,” Sulaiman told Sky Sports. “We have had the flexibility with our champions and the WBC has approved Fury to fight by the end of the year, if it’s announced that it might be December 19, and the winner must make the mandatory defence early next year.
“When the [Fury-Wilder] fight takes place, we will order the pre-negotiations, so it’s a process that the promoters negotiate the fight and a date.
“It makes no sense to speculate on a date, but it’s going to be early next year when they are able to negotiate, or it goes to a purse bid.”
WBC heavyweight champion Fury is eyeing a two-fight series with WBA Super, WBO and IBF title-holder Anthony Joshua in 2021, but at this stage needs to get past Wilder and Whyte first, if he is to hold on to his title.