Dillian Whyte’s heavyweight showdown against Alexander Povetkin has been rescheduled for Saturday, July 4, after all British boxing events in May were called off because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The British Boxing Board of Control announced on Monday it had extended its suspension of all shows under its auspices, having initially shut down everything in April.
Whyte was due to face Russian veteran Povetkin on May 2 at the Manchester Arena, where Ireland’s Katie Taylor would have put her status as undisputed lightweight champion on the line against seven-weight titlist Amanda Serrano.
However, Matchroom announced the bill will now go ahead at the same venue on the first weekend in July “subject to the developing situation”.
Welsh fighter Lee Selby’s IBF lightweight title eliminator against George Kambosos Jr at the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff on May 9 has been put back to July 11.
Matchroom says tickets already bought for the new dates will still be valid while refunds will be made available from the point of purchase.
Meanwhile, Matchroom confirmed it is attempting to rearrange a blockbuster heavyweight bout between Dereck Chisora and former undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, originally slated for May 23 at London’s O2 Arena.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here