Dillian Whyte has tabbed Alexander Povetkin as the preferred option for a planned return in the month of April.

Both Whyte and Povetkin were in action during last month's card in Saudi Arabia, which was headlined by the heavyweight rematch between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz.

Whyte won a tough ten round decision over Polish giant Mariusz Wach, while Povetkin fought Michael Hunter to a highly competitive draw.

A fight between Whyte and Povetkin had been mentioned in 2018, but the Russian former world champion went in another direction when was able to secure a big money opportunity to fight Anthony Joshua.

Whyte currently holds the WBC's interim-world title. Full champion Deontay Wilder, who faces Tyson Fury on February 22, is not obligated to face him until February 2021. Whyte has no intention of waiting around for Wilder.

Next week, the British heavyweight will sit down with promoter Eddie Hearn to discuss the available options.

"[Hearn] mentioned April 18 on an interview, so I guess that's the date. Probably in London or Manchester, something like that. The O2 gets booked up a lot, so either London or Manchester. They are two good venues and it would be good to move to a different part of the country some time as well. Manchester Arena would be good," Whyte said to Sky Sports.

"If [Povetkin] wants it, he can get it. It's going to be a tear-up, because he is not really a mover and I'm not really a mover, so he's a come forward fighter and I come forward. We're going to have a scrap. Povetkin comes to fight doesn't he. He doesn't come to mess about. I'm the same, so let's get it. Let's see who has got the best left hook around.

"We've got to be mindful of the date and timing and stuff, so I need to speak to him to get a full idea of [Hearn's] plans. We'll meet and see what the plans are and then we'll make a decision. I'm not going to wait another 800 days [for Wilder]. What for?"