According to Andrey Ryabinsky, promoter for former world champion Alexander Povetkin, there is no intention to postpone the upcoming fight with Dillian Whyte, but the ongoing situation with the spread of the coronavirus can change those plans at any time.

The fight between Povetkin and Whyte is due to take place on May 2 at the Manchester Arena in Manchester. Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN will carry the fight.

Whyte's interim heavyweight title of the World Boxing Council (WBC) is at stake.

In countries like the United States, the majority of the scheduled boxing events, all the way until the end of April, have been called off due to the coronavirus.

Outside of the virus itself, Ryabinsky could see certain restrictions coming into play that could become a problem for Povetkin's training camp - in terms of sparring partners being capable of traveling to another country.

Ryabinsky is speaking with Whyte's promoter, Eddie Hearn, on a regular basis, to ensure everything is moving forward for the event.

“The coronavirus is increasingly affecting all spheres of life and interactions between people and countries... sports are no exception, and, of course, these are risks that cannot be ignored,” said Ryabinsky.

“We are in constant contact with Eddie Hearn, While there is no intention to postpone this fight, the governments are constantly introducing new measures to combat the virus, and the situation [with this event] may change at any time. In addition, restrictions on international travel and the rules of entry-exit [to another country] may cause problems in preparing for the fight... for example, for the arrival of sparring partners."

Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org.