The highly anticipated rematch between Alexander Povetkin and Dillian Whyte will be pushed back yet again.

After being originally scheduled for last November and then penciled in for January, the fight for the interim WBC heavyweight title would have been on March 6th. Now due to updated travel restrictions in the UK because of the COVID-19 pandemic it will now take place on March 27th. In addition to that, the site for the fight is moved from the SSE Arena in Wembley to a location in Gibraltar.

Whyte had been waiting to avenge his knockout loss to Povetkin in Essex to get back into contention to face WBC champion Tyson Fury. It was initially delayed due to Povetkin testing positive for COVID-19. The attempt to move the fight from November 21st to January 30th fell through, and as a result Matchroom Boxing made the announcement that the rematch would take place on March 6th. With it being two weeks before that date, it was crushing news to Eddie Hearn – Sporting Director of Matchroom Sport – that it will be delayed once again.

“In the current environment we are always having to think on our feet,” Hearn said. “We did everything to try and make March 6 happen, but with the new travel restrictions it was impossible. Now we have something outside the box, compelling, and a unique setting for one of the Heavyweight Fights of the Year – roll on the Rumble on the Rock!”

Cover photo by Mark Robinson