By the end of December 2018, Povetkin recovered from elbow operations following his loss to Joshua and stated he would start a training camp in January 2019, hoping for a fight in April. Povetkin expected his return to the ring would take place in either the UK or US. A few names had been reported such as Dillian Whyte and Oleksandr Usyk. On 4 March, it was reported that Usyk would fight either Povetkin or Carlos Takam on 18 May 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Two days later it was reported, whilst a potential Usyk-Povetkin fight could take place in 2019, both boxers would take interim bout first.