Dillian Whyte could be one win away from fighting for the undisputed world heavyweight title against Anthony Joshua.
Whyte faces Alexander Povetkin at Matchroom’s Fight Camp on Saturday, knowing victory will cement a shot at WBC champion Tyson Fury in early 2021.
Should Fury relinquish his title rather than face the South Londoner, due to time constraints or preference, ‘interim’ title-holder Whyte would then be elevated to full WBC champion status.
A two-fight series between WBA Super, WBO and IBF title-holder Anthony Joshua and Fury has already been agreed in principle, but if Whyte holds the WBC crown then AJ will probably fight him first, according to promoter Eddie Hearn.
Joshua, who stopped Whyte in seven rounds in December 2015, is prioritising the WBC title and not a mega-fight with Fury as he seeks to become the undisputed world heavyweight champion and the increased bargaining power that brings.
“Looking at the bigger undisputed picture, all Joshua wants is the WBC title,” Hearn, who promoters Joshua and Whyte, told Sky Sports News. “He was never worried if it came against [Deontay] Wilder or Fury. Whoever!
“Whoever owns that belt is who Joshua will face for the undisputed championship. We know the winner of Saturday’s fight will be ordered to face the winner of Fury vs Wilder.
“If Fury 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 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.”
The stakes for Whyte’s fight with Povetkin couldn’t be much higher. Whyte is currently a 1/4 favourite at Betfred while Povetkin is a 3-1 shot. The draw is 25-1.
In a confusing heavyweight title picture, reigning WBC champion Fury is contracted to fight Wilder a third time before facing Whyte early in 2021 while Joshua still has a mandatory obligation against IBF No.1 contender Kubrat Pulev to fulfil. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, neither fight has a date yet though both are provisionally pencilled in for December.
The WBC ‘Diamond’ heavyweight title fight between Dillian Whyte and Alexander Povetkin will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Box Office on Saturday in the UK.