As previously reported, WBC interim-heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin will be ready to fight by the early spring.

Povetkin was in action back in August, when he knocked out Dillian Whyte in five rounds at Matchroom's Fight Camp in Brentwood.

A rematch has been pushed back from two planned dates, due to Povetkin being diagnosed with COVID-19.

Povetkin has started initial training to get his body in order.

He says Whyte is the only fight option being targeted for the future.

"No others are being discussed. Whyte is the only option," Povetkin said to Igor Lazorin.

Povetkin, who last tasted defeat when he was knocked out by Anthony Joshua in 2018, watch him retain his titles earlier this month with a vicious stoppage of Kubrat Pulev.

"I watched, Joshua boxed well. He is healthier, more powerful, his punches are more noticeable. He knocked Pulev down once, then twice. Well, then it all ended," Povetkin said.

"[I've reviewed my fight against Joshua] two or three times, I guess. Now I'm beginning to understand what was wrong back then. I have already worked out those errors that were there. We fixed them. It's hard to talk about [what I would do in a rematch]. I will try to avoid the mistakes that were made back then. Is a rematch realistic? Everything in life is real, so why not! I would love to box against Joshua again."

Andrey Ryabinsky, who promotes Povetkin, would like to see his 41-year-old boxer retire after two more fights.

"I am of the opinion that the decision must be made in accordance with my mental state. As long as I have desire, I will box. As soon as it disappears, I'll finish. Of course, I 've thought about it. I'll just finish and that's all there is to do. Sooner or later I will have to do it. I was already thinking about what to do next. And it might be possible to open my own promotional company. We'll see. I would like to associate myself with children's sports.... so that children grow up healthy, smart and strong. And that they are strong not only physically, but also spiritually," Povetkin said.