Whyte and Povetkin to meet in May showdown

As he waits for an opportunity to fight for the WBC heavyweight title, Dillian Whyte will go up against Alexander Povetkin next.

Both heavyweights were in action on the undercard to Joshua's rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr at the end of 2019 in Saudi Arabia.

Dillian Whyte will take on Alexander Povetkin on May 2, with the two heavyweights topping the bill at Manchester Arena.

Whyte will go up against the Russian as he waits for his chance to challenge for the WBC belt; Tyson Fury is the organisation's champion after his emphatic win over Deontay Wilder last month.

Povetkin is an Olympic gold medallist who has only lost twice in his 38-fight professional career, those defeats coming against Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko.

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Both heavyweights were in action on the undercard to Joshua's rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr at the end of 2019 in Saudi Arabia.

While Whyte – who will be defending his status as the WBC's interim champion - won a 10-rounder against Mariusz Wach on points, Povetkin's bout with Michael Hunter was scored a split-decision draw.

"He is still very dangerous, he gave AJ a lot of problems and then beat Hughie Fury. I am not overlooking him at all, he will come in shape. He's tough and very well-schooled," said Whyte, whose solitary defeat in the paid ranks also came against Joshua 2015.

"He showed in Saudi Arabia that he still has a lot left in the tank and he is still very dangerous. I've got respect for him but I'm on to maximum violence, straight animal instinct."