Tag: Povetkin vs Whyte

Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder: Who’s next for Dillian Whyte?

Who will Dillian Whyte fight after his spectacular stoppage of Alexander Povetkin in their rematch Saturday?

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.

***

Dillian Whyte’s fourth-round knockout of Alexander Povetkin on Saturday has restored the Londoner’s positioning as a future world title contender. However, with current heavyweight rulers Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury set to face each other and unify, it makes Whyte’s immediate next step uncertain.

So with his promoter, Eddie Hearn, revealing he hopes to get Whyte back in action as early as this summer, who will be next for “The Body Snatcher”?

Here are some things to consider, as well as interesting betting odds on the situation.

WILL DILLIAN WHYTE’S NEXT BOUT BE FOR A WORLD TITLE?

Although Whyte has regained the “interim” WBC title and is likely to be installed as the sanctioning body’s mandatory challenger (Fury is the current titleholder), Hearn evidently wants to get his man one more “keep-busy” fight before they attempt to muscle in on the championship picture.

If A.J. and Fury fight twice in succession, one or more sanctioning bodies might pull their belts after the first meeting because of the time involved.

So if Whyte takes a safe challenge around the time of Joshua-Fury I, he could be in position to fight for the vacant WBC belt after that. In fact, he could even be elevated by the body to full champion.

However, that scenario precludes an attractive fight between Whyte and Deontay Wilder from happening next. And maybe that’s for the best, since the American could also really use a fight to shake off rust from a year-plus absence from the ring.

WHO WOULD BE DILLIAN WHYTE’S ‘KEEP-BUSY’ OPPONENT?

The heavyweight ranks feature a large number of respectable second-tier competitors that could give Whyte extra rounds while he waits for his world title opportunity. And as long as such a fight isn’t the main event of a pay-per-view card — as both Povetkin fights were in the U.K. — it would be fair enough.

In fact, Whyte blasting a 15th-20th-ranked adversary on the undercard of Fury-Joshua I before calling out the winner and/or Wilder would be a productive use of an undercard few will care about while keeping the narrative fresh in viewers’ minds.

COULD DILLIAN WHYTE’S NEXT FIGHT BE A BIG ONE, INSTEAD?

Certainly. And with a tinge of doubt surrounding the Joshua-Fury talks, Whyte could hold out hope of either man being available to him instead of each other or of the WBC losing patience and favoring Whyte vs. Wilder sooner rather than later.

The latest Betfair odds lean toward Whyte facing a formidable foe such as Luis Ortiz or Andy Ruiz Jr. next, while Wilder, Joshua and Fury all have tempting value under the circumstances. The current favorite is Poland’s Adam Kownacki, who is ranked sixth by the WBA and has a 20-1 record that lacks names any bigger than Chris Arreola and Charles Martin.

ODDS ON DILLIAN WHYTE’S NEXT OPPONENT

  • Adam Kownacki: 5-4
  • Luis Ortiz: 3-1
  • Deontay Wilder: 9-2
  • Andy Ruiz Jr: 6-1
  • Tyson Fury: 10-1
  • Anthony Joshua: 14-1

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Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder: Who’s next for Dillian Whyte?

Who will Dillian Whyte fight after his spectacular stoppage of Alexander Povetkin in their rematch Saturday?

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.

***

Dillian Whyte’s fourth-round knockout of Alexander Povetkin on Saturday has restored the Londoner’s positioning as a future world title contender. However, with current heavyweight rulers Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury set to face each other and unify, it makes Whyte’s immediate next step uncertain.

So with his promoter, Eddie Hearn, revealing he hopes to get Whyte back in action as early as this summer, who will be next for “The Body Snatcher”?

Here are some things to consider, as well as interesting betting odds on the situation.

WILL DILLIAN WHYTE’S NEXT BOUT BE FOR A WORLD TITLE?

Although Whyte has regained the “interim” WBC title and is likely to be installed as the sanctioning body’s mandatory challenger (Fury is the current titleholder), Hearn evidently wants to get his man one more “keep-busy” fight before they attempt to muscle in on the championship picture.

If A.J. and Fury fight twice in succession, one or more sanctioning bodies might pull their belts after the first meeting because of the time involved.

So if Whyte takes a safe challenge around the time of Joshua-Fury I, he could be in position to fight for the vacant WBC belt after that. In fact, he could even be elevated by the body to full champion.

However, that scenario precludes an attractive fight between Whyte and Deontay Wilder from happening next. And maybe that’s for the best, since the American could also really use a fight to shake off rust from a year-plus absence from the ring.

WHO WOULD BE DILLIAN WHYTE’S ‘KEEP-BUSY’ OPPONENT?

The heavyweight ranks feature a large number of respectable second-tier competitors that could give Whyte extra rounds while he waits for his world title opportunity. And as long as such a fight isn’t the main event of a pay-per-view card — as both Povetkin fights were in the U.K. — it would be fair enough.

In fact, Whyte blasting a 15th-20th-ranked adversary on the undercard of Fury-Joshua I before calling out the winner and/or Wilder would be a productive use of an undercard few will care about while keeping the narrative fresh in viewers’ minds.

COULD DILLIAN WHYTE’S NEXT FIGHT BE A BIG ONE, INSTEAD?

Certainly. And with a tinge of doubt surrounding the Joshua-Fury talks, Whyte could hold out hope of either man being available to him instead of each other or of the WBC losing patience and favoring Whyte vs. Wilder sooner rather than later.

The latest Betfair odds lean toward Whyte facing a formidable foe such as Luis Ortiz or Andy Ruiz Jr. next, while Wilder, Joshua and Fury all have tempting value under the circumstances. The current favorite is Poland’s Adam Kownacki, who is ranked sixth by the WBA and has a 20-1 record that lacks names any bigger than Chris Arreola and Charles Martin.

ODDS ON DILLIAN WHYTE’S NEXT OPPONENT

  • Adam Kownacki: 5-4
  • Luis Ortiz: 3-1
  • Deontay Wilder: 9-2
  • Andy Ruiz Jr: 6-1
  • Tyson Fury: 10-1
  • Anthony Joshua: 14-1

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Dillian Whyte turns tables on Alexander Povetkin in Round 4

Dillian Whyte avenged his knockout loss against Alexander Povetkin on Saturday, stopping the Russian in Round 4.

Dillian Whyte got it right this time.

The Londoner, who was stopped by Alexander Povetkin with a single uppercut in August, returned the favor by knocking out his rival in the fourth round Saturday at Europa Point Sports Complex in the British territory of Gibraltar.

In the process, Whyte regained the status he lost in the first fight. He’s now the WBC “interim” titleholder and next in line to fight for a world title.

“I still believe I can be world champion, that I can beat anyone. I carry the power to beat anyone,” he said afterward.

Whyte (28-2, 19 KOs) used his jab well but certainly wasn’t gun shy after the disaster of the first meeting, aggressively attacking Povetkin (36-3-1, 25 KOs) almost from the opening bell.

By Round 2, Whyte began to find his range. By Round 3, he began to land hard, accurate right hands that might’ve stopped a less durable opponent. And by Round 4, with Povetkin already worn down, he ended the fight in spectacular fashion.

Whyte sent Povetkin into the ropes with a big straight right with about 35 seconds left in the round. He followed with another right that staggered his prey. And he finished the job with a huge left hook that put Povetkin onto his behind.

The Russian staggered to his feet but was in no condition to continue, which prompted referee Victor Loughlin to save Povetkin from taking further punishment.

The official time of the stoppage was 2:39 of Round 4.

And just like that Whyte corrected the misstep of seven months ago, which had plunged his career into uncertainty. Now he’s in a good position to fight for a major belt once the title-unification fight (or fights) between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua plays out.

Whyte said afterward that he would consider a third fight with Povetkin but no one will want to see that after his complete dominance on Saturday.

He was asked how he felt after turning the tables on is rival.

“I’m ready to run it back again if he wants it again. That’s how I feel,” he said. “If he wants a rematch and they pay me the right money, I’ll fight him again because I shouldn’t have lost the first time. …

“It’s just one of those things. I’m annoyed at myself for losing the first time. All I had to do was be a bit smarter, not make a silly mistake and pay for it.”

Whyte has an idea for his next fight: Good money for a less threatening opponent, at least while he waits to see how the title picture evolves.

“[Promoter] Eddie [Hearn] likes to put me in these hard fights,” he said. “This time get me an easy fight so I can make some damn money without so much risk.”

Hearn evidently is on board with that.

“Firstly, there was a lot of talk about his career being on the line,” he said. “There was a lot of pressure. And what he did tonight was he carried on where he left off before the knockout last time. He manhandled Povetkin from the first round. He never recovered.

“… His world championship dreams were on the line tonight. I think he’s right. I would like to see him box quickly again this summer, maybe go to the United States and fight there because you know there’s a logjam.”

But …

“The ultimate aim has always been for Dillian Whyte to challenge for the world heavyweight title,” Hearn added. “Everyone knows in boxing he’s a handful for anyone in the division. Tonight was about getting his career back on track, getting his world title ambitions back on track.

“Coming back from that knockout wasn’t easy. He showed tonight that he wasn’t going to be denied. … We’re back where we want to be.”

Dillian Whyte turns tables on Alexander Povetkin in Round 4

Dillian Whyte avenged his knockout loss against Alexander Povetkin on Saturday, stopping the Russian in Round 4.

Dillian Whyte got it right this time.

The Londoner, who was stopped by Alexander Povetkin with a single uppercut in August, returned the favor by knocking out his rival in the fourth round Saturday at Europa Point Sports Complex in the British territory of Gibraltar.

In the process, Whyte regained the status he lost in the first fight. He’s now the WBC “interim” titleholder and next in line to fight for a world title.

“I still believe I can be world champion, that I can beat anyone. I carry the power to beat anyone,” he said afterward.

Whyte (28-2, 19 KOs) used his jab well but certainly wasn’t gun shy after the disaster of the first meeting, aggressively attacking Povetkin (36-3-1, 25 KOs) almost from the opening bell.

By Round 2, Whyte began to find his range. By Round 3, he began to land hard, accurate right hands that might’ve stopped a less durable opponent. And by Round 4, with Povetkin already worn down, he ended the fight in spectacular fashion.

Whyte sent Povetkin into the ropes with a big straight right with about 35 seconds left in the round. He followed with another right that staggered his prey. And he finished the job with a huge left hook that put Povetkin onto his behind.

The Russian staggered to his feet but was in no condition to continue, which prompted referee Victor Loughlin to save Povetkin from taking further punishment.

The official time of the stoppage was 2:39 of Round 4.

And just like that Whyte corrected the misstep of seven months ago, which had plunged his career into uncertainty. Now he’s in a good position to fight for a major belt once the title-unification fight (or fights) between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua plays out.

Whyte said afterward that he would consider a third fight with Povetkin but no one will want to see that after his complete dominance on Saturday.

He was asked how he felt after turning the tables on is rival.

“I’m ready to run it back again if he wants it again. That’s how I feel,” he said. “If he wants a rematch and they pay me the right money, I’ll fight him again because I shouldn’t have lost the first time. …

“It’s just one of those things. I’m annoyed at myself for losing the first time. All I had to do was be a bit smarter, not make a silly mistake and pay for it.”

Whyte has an idea for his next fight: Good money for a less threatening opponent, at least while he waits to see how the title picture evolves.

“[Promoter] Eddie [Hearn] likes to put me in these hard fights,” he said. “This time get me an easy fight so I can make some damn money without so much risk.”

Hearn evidently is on board with that.

“Firstly, there was a lot of talk about his career being on the line,” he said. “There was a lot of pressure. And what he did tonight was he carried on where he left off before the knockout last time. He manhandled Povetkin from the first round. He never recovered.

“… His world championship dreams were on the line tonight. I think he’s right. I would like to see him box quickly again this summer, maybe go to the United States and fight there because you know there’s a logjam.”

But …

“The ultimate aim has always been for Dillian Whyte to challenge for the world heavyweight title,” Hearn added. “Everyone knows in boxing he’s a handful for anyone in the division. Tonight was about getting his career back on track, getting his world title ambitions back on track.

“Coming back from that knockout wasn’t easy. He showed tonight that he wasn’t going to be denied. … We’re back where we want to be.”

Dillian Whyte wants to repay Alexander Povetkin in kind

Dillian Whyte said he wants to do to Alexander Povetkin what Povetkin did to him in their first fight.

It’s generally awkward when a fighter is asked to discuss a fight in which he was brutally knocked out.

Dillian Whyte was no exception during Thursday’s final news conference before his rematch with Alexander Povetkin on Saturday night at Europa Point Sports Complex in the British territory of Gibraltar, which borders Spain.

Whyte had put Povetkin down twice and seemed to be on his way to a stoppage when the Russian ended the fight with a single uppercut in Round 5 last August outside London.

“Yeah, you know,” he started when asked about the setback. “The first fight was a good fight, we both fought well. I knocked him down a couple of times. He came back to win. Congratulations to him, he landed a good punch. He did well.

“I’m glad that he took the rematch. And I’m glad that we’re here again. We’re about to get it on in two days.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8RBRhTU3uA

Indeed, the blessing for Whyte is that he has the opportunity to change the conversation. And what better way to do that than pay Povetkin back in kind.

Whyte (27-2, 18 KOs) acknowledged that his primary goal is to emerge victorious, however that looks. But he also has made it clear that he wants to do to Povetkin what Povetkin did to him.

“I’m a competitor,” Whyte responded when asked whether he wants a knockout. “I hate losing anything. So I want to make it 1-1. That’s the plan.”

Whyte’s trainer, Xavier Miller, chalked up the earlier setback to “heavyweight boxing” and shifted focus to Saturday.

“The tone of the fight, the way the fight was going, it was only going one way,” Miller said. “But this is heavyweight boxing. We’ve made no excuses, we’ve just gone straight back into the camp.

“And all I want to focus on now is Saturday. Like I said, the last fight is done. We have to win on Saturday, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Povetkin (36-2-1, 25 KOs) also has no interest in focusing on the first fight.

The 41-year-old former Olympic champion implied that the rematch could look different from the original. He also made it clear that he’s not even thinking about the prospect of another stoppage.

“You always forget the first fight,” he said through a translator. “… I think Dillian will be better in the second fight than he was in the first one. At the same time, I’ll try to be more careful, to pay attention to my defense. …

“I don’t have this feeling that I will knock him out. I’m just coming over to win. It could go the distance. I’m not focused on the knockout. I just need to follow my plan.”

[lawrence-related id=18819,18800]

Dillian Whyte wants to repay Alexander Povetkin in kind

Dillian Whyte said he wants to do to Alexander Povetkin what Povetkin did to him in their first fight.

It’s generally awkward when a fighter is asked to discuss a fight in which he was brutally knocked out.

Dillian Whyte was no exception during Thursday’s final news conference before his rematch with Alexander Povetkin on Saturday night at Europa Point Sports Complex in the British territory of Gibraltar, which borders Spain.

Whyte had put Povetkin down twice and seemed to be on his way to a stoppage when the Russian ended the fight with a single uppercut in Round 5 last August outside London.

“Yeah, you know,” he started when asked about the setback. “The first fight was a good fight, we both fought well. I knocked him down a couple of times. He came back to win. Congratulations to him, he landed a good punch. He did well.

“I’m glad that he took the rematch. And I’m glad that we’re here again. We’re about to get it on in two days.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8RBRhTU3uA

Indeed, the blessing for Whyte is that he has the opportunity to change the conversation. And what better way to do that than pay Povetkin back in kind.

Whyte (27-2, 18 KOs) acknowledged that his primary goal is to emerge victorious, however that looks. But he also has made it clear that he wants to do to Povetkin what Povetkin did to him.

“I’m a competitor,” Whyte responded when asked whether he wants a knockout. “I hate losing anything. So I want to make it 1-1. That’s the plan.”

Whyte’s trainer, Xavier Miller, chalked up the earlier setback to “heavyweight boxing” and shifted focus to Saturday.

“The tone of the fight, the way the fight was going, it was only going one way,” Miller said. “But this is heavyweight boxing. We’ve made no excuses, we’ve just gone straight back into the camp.

“And all I want to focus on now is Saturday. Like I said, the last fight is done. We have to win on Saturday, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Povetkin (36-2-1, 25 KOs) also has no interest in focusing on the first fight.

The 41-year-old former Olympic champion implied that the rematch could look different from the original. He also made it clear that he’s not even thinking about the prospect of another stoppage.

“You always forget the first fight,” he said through a translator. “… I think Dillian will be better in the second fight than he was in the first one. At the same time, I’ll try to be more careful, to pay attention to my defense. …

“I don’t have this feeling that I will knock him out. I’m just coming over to win. It could go the distance. I’m not focused on the knockout. I just need to follow my plan.”

[lawrence-related id=18819,18800]

Alexander Povetkin vs. Dillian Whyte II: date, time, how to watch, background

Alexander Povetkin vs. Dillian Whyte II: date, time, how to watch, background.

Alexander Povetkin meets Dillian Whyte in a rematch of their unforgettable August fight, in which THE RUSSIAN survived two knockdowns to stop Whyte with a single uppercut.

***

ALEXANDER POVETKIN (36-2-1, 25 KOs) VS.
DILLIAN WHYTE (27-2, 18 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_CekGA9CA0

  • Date: Saturday, March 27
  • Time: 3 p.m. ET / noon PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Gilbraltar
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Cost: DAZN: $19.99 per month or $99 annually
  • Division: Heavyweight (no limit)
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Whyte 3-1 favorite
  • Also on the card: Ted Cheeseman vs. James Metcalf, junior middleweights; Chris Kongo vs. Michael McKinson, welterweights
  • Prediction: Whyte KO 9
  • Background: Povetkin stunned the boxing world by rising from two knockdowns to stop the favored Whyte with a single left uppercut in the fifth round on Aug. 22 outside London, which cost Whyte his mandatory status. The rematch is Saturday in the British territory of Gibraltar (bordering Spain). Povetkin, 41, had mixed results the past few years – losing to Anthony Joshua, outpointing Hughie Fury and then drawing with Michael Hunter – and he struggled for four-plus rounds against Whyte, going down twice in Round 4 in what seemed to be the beginning of the end for him. Indeed, his career as an elite heavyweight seemed to be in doubt as the bell rang to start Round 5. And then one perfect punch changed everything. Whyte fell flat on his back and had no hope of continuing, a major setback for him that gave new life to Povetkin’s career. Can he do it again? The oddsmakers don’t think so. They’ve made Whyte around a 3-1 favorite, which presumably was based on his recent history and the early rounds of the first fight. The Londoner had won 11 fights since he was stopped by Joshua in 2015, including victories over Dereck Chisora (twice), Robert Helenius, Joseph Parker and Oscar Rivas. And he seemed to be on his way to a stoppage against Povetkin. He had better get it right this time. It would be difficult to battle back from another loss. Povetkin will be motivated: If the Russian can pull off another upset, he will be in excellent position to get a big-money fight before he’s finished. The rematch was postponed multiple times, first when Povetkin tested positive for COVID-19 and then because of pandemic restrictions.

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Alexander Povetkin vs. Dillian Whyte II: date, time, how to watch, background

Alexander Povetkin vs. Dillian Whyte II: date, time, how to watch, background.

Alexander Povetkin meets Dillian Whyte in a rematch of their unforgettable August fight, in which THE RUSSIAN survived two knockdowns to stop Whyte with a single uppercut.

***

ALEXANDER POVETKIN (36-2-1, 25 KOs) VS.
DILLIAN WHYTE (27-2, 18 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_CekGA9CA0

  • Date: Saturday, March 27
  • Time: 3 p.m. ET / noon PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Gilbraltar
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Cost: DAZN: $19.99 per month or $99 annually
  • Division: Heavyweight (no limit)
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Whyte 3-1 favorite
  • Also on the card: Ted Cheeseman vs. James Metcalf, junior middleweights; Chris Kongo vs. Michael McKinson, welterweights
  • Prediction: Whyte KO 9
  • Background: Povetkin stunned the boxing world by rising from two knockdowns to stop the favored Whyte with a single left uppercut in the fifth round on Aug. 22 outside London, which cost Whyte his mandatory status. The rematch is Saturday in the British territory of Gibraltar (bordering Spain). Povetkin, 41, had mixed results the past few years – losing to Anthony Joshua, outpointing Hughie Fury and then drawing with Michael Hunter – and he struggled for four-plus rounds against Whyte, going down twice in Round 4 in what seemed to be the beginning of the end for him. Indeed, his career as an elite heavyweight seemed to be in doubt as the bell rang to start Round 5. And then one perfect punch changed everything. Whyte fell flat on his back and had no hope of continuing, a major setback for him that gave new life to Povetkin’s career. Can he do it again? The oddsmakers don’t think so. They’ve made Whyte around a 3-1 favorite, which presumably was based on his recent history and the early rounds of the first fight. The Londoner had won 11 fights since he was stopped by Joshua in 2015, including victories over Dereck Chisora (twice), Robert Helenius, Joseph Parker and Oscar Rivas. And he seemed to be on his way to a stoppage against Povetkin. He had better get it right this time. It would be difficult to battle back from another loss. Povetkin will be motivated: If the Russian can pull off another upset, he will be in excellent position to get a big-money fight before he’s finished. The rematch was postponed multiple times, first when Povetkin tested positive for COVID-19 and then because of pandemic restrictions.

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Fight Week: Alexander Povetkin vs. Dillian Whyte, Part II

Alexander Povetkin and Dillian Whyte meet in a rematch of their fight in August in which Povetkin scored a stunning knockout.

FIGHT WEEK

Can Alexander Povetkin do it again? The Russian meets Dillian Whyte in a rematch of their unforgettable August fight, in which Povetkin survived two knockdowns to stop Whyte with a single uppercut.

***

AMANDA SERRANO (39-1-1, 29 KOs) VS.
DANIELA ROMINA BERMUDEZ (29-3-2, 10 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6SjAEvUSfQ

  • When: Thursday, March 25
  • Where: San Juan, Puerto Rico
  • TV/Stream: NBC Sports Network
  • Division: Featherweight (126 pounds)
  • At stake: Serrano’s WBC and WBO titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Abimael Ortiz vs. Eduardo Baez, junior featherweights
  • Prediction: Serrano UD
  • Background: Serrano, a native of Puerto Rico who lives in Brooklyn, has won nine world titles across seven divisions (between 115 and 140 pounds). She’ll be defending two 126-pound belts on Thursday at Plaza del Quinto Centenario in Old San Juan. The southpaw has won 25 consecutive fights – 20 by knockout — since losing a decision to Frida Wallberg back in 2012. She fought last on Dec. 16, when she stopped Dahiana Santana in the first round. Bermudez currently holds bantamweight and junior featherweight titles, meaning she’s attempting to hold belts in three divisions simultaneously. The Argentine also is on a hot streak, having gone 13-0-1 since he was outpointed by Yesica Bopp in 2014. She stopped Cintia Castillo in 10 rounds on Dec. 4.

***

ALEXANDER POVETKIN (36-2-1, 25 KOs) VS.
DILLIAN WHYTE (27-2, 18 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_CekGA9CA0

  • When: Saturday, March 27
  • Where: Gilbraltar
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Heavyweight (no limit)
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Whyte 3-1 favorite
  • Also on the card: Ted Cheeseman vs. James Metcalf, junior middleweights; Chris Kongo vs. Michael McKinson, welterweights
  • Prediction: Whyte KO 9
  • Background: Povetkin stunned the boxing world by rising from two knockdowns to stop the favored Whyte with a single left uppercut in the fifth round on Aug. 22 outside London, which cost Whyte his mandatory status. The rematch is Saturday in the British territory of Gibraltar (bordering Spain). Povetkin, 41, had mixed results the past few years – losing to Anthony Joshua, outpointing Hughie Fury and then drawing with Michael Hunter – and he struggled for four-plus rounds against Whyte, going down twice in Round 4 in what seemed to be the beginning of the end for him. Indeed, his career as an elite heavyweight seemed to be in doubt as the bell rang to start Round 5. And then one perfect punch changed everything. Whyte fell flat on his back and had no hope of continuing, a major setback for him that gave new life to Povetkin’s career. Can he do it again? The oddsmakers don’t think so. They’ve made Whyte around a 3-1 favorite, which presumably was based on his recent history and the early rounds of the first fight. The Londoner had won 11 fights since he was stopped by Joshua in 2015, including victories over Dereck Chisora (twice), Robert Helenius, Joseph Parker and Oscar Rivas. And he seemed to be on his way to a stoppage against Povetkin. He had better get it right this time. It would be difficult to battle back from another loss. Povetkin will be motivated: If the Russian can pull off another upset, he will be in excellent position to get a big-money fight before he’s finished.

***

Also fighting this week: Junior welterweight prospect Akeem Ennis Brown (14-0, 1 KOs) will defend his Commonwealth and British titles against Sam Maxwell (14-0, 1 KOs) on Friday at Copper Box Arena in London (BT Sport). And, at the same venue the following day, Willy Hutchinson (13-0, 9 KOs) and Lennox Clarke (19-1-1, 7 KOs) fight for the vacant Commonwealth and British super middleweight belts (BT Sport).