Whyte, the number one WBC challenger, fights Povetkin this Saturday. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has told Sky Sports that if Whyte wins he will get to face the winner of the fight between Fury and American Deontay Wilder.
But with that trilogy bout unlikely to take place until December, it is also possible that if Fury beats Wilder, he will vacate his title in search of a more lucrative bout rather than face Whyte.
"If Fury does not want to fight Whyte, then Whyte will be elevated to champion from 'interim' champion," Hearn told Sky Sports.
"Then what will happen? Joshua will fight Whyte straight away for the undisputed championship."
Fury v AJ disappearing into the distance??