Andrei Ryabinsky, promoter for WBC interim-heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin, is not confident that his boxer will ready in time for a tentative date of January 30 for a rematch with Dillian Whyte.
Back in August, Povetkin pulled off a major upset when he knocked Whyte out cold in the fifth round of their clash at the Matchroom Fight Camp in Brentwood.
Whyte would exercise an immediate rematch clause, with a second fight being set down for November 21.
But last week it was revealed that Povetkin had tested positive for COVID-19 and the rematch was immediately postponed.
Povetkin was hospitalized in Russian and received treatment.
Whyte's promoter, Eddie Hearn, mentioned a tentative date of January 30 - but Ryabinsky is not convinced that can happen.
"We will try, but I think that by January 30 Alexander is unlikely to recover," Ryabinsky said to Vasily Konov Jr.
The Russian promoter revealed that Povetkin was discharged from the hospital to continue his recovery at home.
Povetkin is expected to resume training in three weeks - but Ryabinsky cautions that the re-start of his training camp will not begin until his doctor gives him the green light.
Going into the August fight, the 41-year-old Povetkin was a huge underdog and Whyte was the mandatory challenger to the WBC title, which is currently held by Tyson Fury.
Povetkin appeared to be in serious trouble after being dropped two times in the fourth round. But he shocked everyone, when a big uppercut connected out of nowhere - and generated a big knockout where the British boxer went down and out.