Tag: Whyte vs Povetkin

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 stops Dillian Whyte with single shot

Alexander Povetkin stopped Dillian Whyte with a single left uppercut in Round 5 Saturday in Brentwood, England.

Dillian Whyte, the longtime WBC mandatory title challenger, was in position to face the winner of the third Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder fight for the championship sometime next year. All he had to do was beat the aging Alexander Povetkin on Saturday in Brentwood, England.

Oops.

Povetkin, who had been down twice in Round 4, stunned everyone watching by knocking Whyte down and out with a single uppercut 30 seconds into Round 5 to pump life into his career by winning the “interim” title and turn Whyte’s upside down.

The good news for Whyte could be that there was a rematch clause in the contract and he evidently plans to exercise it before the end of the year.

“There was a rematch clause,” promoter Eddie Hearn said. “When [Whyte] was leaving the ring, he said, ‘Get the rematch, get the rematch.”

Dillian Whyte (left) put Alexander Povetkin down twice in Round 4 and seemed to be in control Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing

Whyte (27-2, 18 KOs) had a miserable 2019, when a drug test after his victory over Oscar Rivas in July revealed an “adverse finding” and he was suspended only to be exonerated in December. Still, ranked No. 1 for two-plus years, he was in good position to get another shot at a title.

And things went well for four rounds Saturday at Fight Camp. The bigger man fought cautiously the first few rounds, jabbing nicely, going to the body on occasion, but taking no significant chances.

Then, in Round 4, he seemed to take full control of the fight. He landed two rights and then a short left hook forced Povetkin (36-2-1, 25 KOs) to one knee about 30 seconds into the round. A few minutes later a left uppercut put Povetkin on his side, giving Whyte a 10-7 round and all the momentum.

At that moment, it seemed only a matter of time before Whyte would put his seemingly tired, 40-year-old opponent away. However, heavyweight fights often provide surprises.

“I was pretty confident in the fourth round,” Povetkin said through a translator. “I went down but I was OK. It wasn’t too much damage so ….”

Jaws dropped when Povetkin did this to Whyte in Round 5. Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing

So it turned out he was right. About 20 seconds into Round 5, Povetkin slipped a lazy right from Whyte and landed a perfect left uppercut of his own that relieved Whyte of his senses before his back hit the canvas. Referee Mark Lyson didn’t bother count. Instead, he waved his arms immediately, ending the fight.

Whyte seemed dazed for several minutes after the knockout but, as Hearn pointed out, he was clear on what he must do if he wants to regain his status and fight for a major title.

“I can’t quite believe it,” Hearn said. “When he landed the punch, it felt like some dream. The fight was over virtually. Povetkin started well. Dillian Whyte was just measuring him and then he had the great finish to the round before, when he knocked Povetkin down. … I felt it was over, a lot of people felt it was over.

“The drama of the sport we love, the drama of heavyweight boxing is one punch change everything.”

The victory was arguably the greatest in the career of Povetkin, who turned pro in 2005, shortly after winning the heavyweight gold medal in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. He has twice fought for a major title but fell short both times, to Wladimir Klitschko in 2013 and Anthony Joshua in 2018.

Povetkin seemed to be as surprised as everyone else when he put Whyte away. Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing

A loss on Saturday might’ve been the end of his career as an elite heavyweight. Instead, he shocked Whyte and the world by winning a fight he had been losing via what might be the Knockout of the Year.

The question now is: Can he do it again? If what Hearn said is accurate, then Povetkin will have to beat Whyte a second time to have a realistic chance of fighting for a major title. That seems to be unlikely based on what we saw for four rounds.

At the same time, Povetkin just proved he can deliver the unlikely.

Alexander Povetkin stops Dillian Whyte with single shot

Alexander Povetkin stopped Dillian Whyte with a single left uppercut in Round 5 Saturday in Brentwood, England.

Dillian Whyte, the longtime WBC mandatory title challenger, was in position to face the winner of the third Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder fight for the championship sometime next year. All he had to do was beat the aging Alexander Povetkin on Saturday in Brentwood, England.

Oops.

Povetkin, who had been down twice in Round 4, stunned everyone watching by knocking Whyte down and out with a single uppercut 30 seconds into Round 5 to pump life into his career by winning the “interim” title and turn Whyte’s upside down.

The good news for Whyte could be that there was a rematch clause in the contract and he evidently plans to exercise it before the end of the year.

“There was a rematch clause,” promoter Eddie Hearn said. “When [Whyte] was leaving the ring, he said, ‘Get the rematch, get the rematch.”

Dillian Whyte (left) put Alexander Povetkin down twice in Round 4 and seemed to be in control Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing

Whyte (27-2, 18 KOs) had a miserable 2019, when a drug test after his victory over Oscar Rivas in July revealed an “adverse finding” and he was suspended only to be exonerated in December. Still, ranked No. 1 for two-plus years, he was in good position to get another shot at a title.

And things went well for four rounds Saturday at Fight Camp. The bigger man fought cautiously the first few rounds, jabbing nicely, going to the body on occasion, but taking no significant chances.

Then, in Round 4, he seemed to take full control of the fight. He landed two rights and then a short left hook forced Povetkin (36-2-1, 25 KOs) to one knee about 30 seconds into the round. A few minutes later a left uppercut put Povetkin on his side, giving Whyte a 10-7 round and all the momentum.

At that moment, it seemed only a matter of time before Whyte would put his seemingly tired, 40-year-old opponent away. However, heavyweight fights often provide surprises.

“I was pretty confident in the fourth round,” Povetkin said through a translator. “I went down but I was OK. It wasn’t too much damage so ….”

Jaws dropped when Povetkin did this to Whyte in Round 5. Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing

So it turned out he was right. About 20 seconds into Round 5, Povetkin slipped a lazy right from Whyte and landed a perfect left uppercut of his own that relieved Whyte of his senses before his back hit the canvas. Referee Mark Lyson didn’t bother count. Instead, he waved his arms immediately, ending the fight.

Whyte seemed dazed for several minutes after the knockout but, as Hearn pointed out, he was clear on what he must do if he wants to regain his status and fight for a major title.

“I can’t quite believe it,” Hearn said. “When he landed the punch, it felt like some dream. The fight was over virtually. Povetkin started well. Dillian Whyte was just measuring him and then he had the great finish to the round before, when he knocked Povetkin down. … I felt it was over, a lot of people felt it was over.

“The drama of the sport we love, the drama of heavyweight boxing is one punch change everything.”

The victory was arguably the greatest in the career of Povetkin, who turned pro in 2005, shortly after winning the heavyweight gold medal in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. He has twice fought for a major title but fell short both times, to Wladimir Klitschko in 2013 and Anthony Joshua in 2018.

Povetkin seemed to be as surprised as everyone else when he put Whyte away. Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing

A loss on Saturday might’ve been the end of his career as an elite heavyweight. Instead, he shocked Whyte and the world by winning a fight he had been losing via what might be the Knockout of the Year.

The question now is: Can he do it again? If what Hearn said is accurate, then Povetkin will have to beat Whyte a second time to have a realistic chance of fighting for a major title. That seems to be unlikely based on what we saw for four rounds.

At the same time, Povetkin just proved he can deliver the unlikely.

Video: Dillian Whyte’s five greatest performances

Here are Dillian Whyte’s Top 5 best performances in his career.

Heavyweight contender Dillian Whyte has had a number of big victories in his almost-decade-long professional career.

The Londoner’s consistency is the reason he’s the WBC’s “interim” titleholder and, if he can beat Alexander Povetkin on Saturday night, next in line to face the winner of Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder III for the full heavyweight championship.

Whyte (27-1, 18 KOs) will take on Povetkin (35-2-1, 24 KOs) at Fight Camp in Brentwood, England, about 30 miles outside London. The card will be streamed on DAZN in the U.S.

Here are Whyte’s Top 5 best performances in his career. The video is courtesy of DAZN.

[jwplayer gTfZnX5R]

Video: Dillian Whyte’s five greatest performances

Here are Dillian Whyte’s Top 5 best performances in his career.

Heavyweight contender Dillian Whyte has had a number of big victories in his almost-decade-long professional career.

The Londoner’s consistency is the reason he’s the WBC’s “interim” titleholder and, if he can beat Alexander Povetkin on Saturday night, next in line to face the winner of Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder III for the full heavyweight championship.

Whyte (27-1, 18 KOs) will take on Povetkin (35-2-1, 24 KOs) at Fight Camp in Brentwood, England, about 30 miles outside London. The card will be streamed on DAZN in the U.S.

Here are Whyte’s Top 5 best performances in his career. The video is courtesy of DAZN.

[jwplayer gTfZnX5R]

Video: Dillian Whyte says he’s focused on Povetkin, not Fury

Dillian Whyte insists he’s focused on his opponent for Saturday night, Alexander Povetkin, not Tyson Fury.

Dillian Whyte seems to be preoccupied with Tyson Fury and the WBC heavyweight title.

He insists that isn’t so. He says he’s focused on his opponent for Saturday night behind closed doors at Fight Camp in Brentwood, England, Alexander Povetkin The card will be streamed on DAZN.

“I’m fighting a consummate professional so I’m not bothered about Tyson Fury. I’m bothered about Povetkin,” said Whyte (27-1, 18 KOs). “Povetkin is the most technical fighter I’ve fought. He has beaten a lot of top guys. He’s an Olympic gold medallist. He’s only lost two fights.

“When the bell goes it doesn’t matter if there’s 100,000 people there or 100 people. You are zoned in.”

Povetkin (35-2-1, 24 KOs) also has respect for Whyte, who is the WBC’s No. 1 contender. The winner on Saturday will be in line to challenge the winner of Fury-Deontay Wilder III for the title.

“I have taken responsibility to train for this fight, understanding how serious it is,” the Russian said. “You have to take Dillian seriously. I don’t like to make predictions, but it will be fireworks.”

Here are highlights from the news conference.

[jwplayer WObGfdn2]

Video: Dillian Whyte says he’s focused on Povetkin, not Fury

Dillian Whyte insists he’s focused on his opponent for Saturday night, Alexander Povetkin, not Tyson Fury.

Dillian Whyte seems to be preoccupied with Tyson Fury and the WBC heavyweight title.

He insists that isn’t so. He says he’s focused on his opponent for Saturday night behind closed doors at Fight Camp in Brentwood, England, Alexander Povetkin The card will be streamed on DAZN.

“I’m fighting a consummate professional so I’m not bothered about Tyson Fury. I’m bothered about Povetkin,” said Whyte (27-1, 18 KOs). “Povetkin is the most technical fighter I’ve fought. He has beaten a lot of top guys. He’s an Olympic gold medallist. He’s only lost two fights.

“When the bell goes it doesn’t matter if there’s 100,000 people there or 100 people. You are zoned in.”

Povetkin (35-2-1, 24 KOs) also has respect for Whyte, who is the WBC’s No. 1 contender. The winner on Saturday will be in line to challenge the winner of Fury-Deontay Wilder III for the title.

“I have taken responsibility to train for this fight, understanding how serious it is,” the Russian said. “You have to take Dillian seriously. I don’t like to make predictions, but it will be fireworks.”

Here are highlights from the news conference.

[jwplayer WObGfdn2]

Dillian Whyte worried Tyson Fury will duck WBC title fight

Dillian Whyte is worried that Tyson Fury will give his WBC title rather than defend it against him.

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

***

Dillian Whyte says he hopes Tyson Fury won’t be a “coward” and duck out of a WBC title fight.

Whyte is scheduled to defend his “interim” title against Alexander Povetkin at Fight Camp on Saturday in Brentwood, England. A victory would set up a fight between the winner of Fury vs. Deontay Wilder III.

Fury’s co-promoter Frank Warren has suggested that any match-up between his fighter and Whyte is not under consideration because he wants to set up a title-unification clash between Fury and Anthony Joshua.

The WBC have confirmed that the next fight for the victor of Fury-Wilder would have to be against Whyte, and the Jamaican-born Briton criticized the pair on Wednesday afternoon when speaking to the press.

“Frank Warren can say whatever he wants, he says a lot of things,” Whyte said. “I think the WBC have come out and said it for the first time. They can’t go back on their word. I don’t think they would want the embarrassment that comes with that, and rightly so.

“It’s not like I haven’t earned it. It’s been almost three years now.”

Whyte, 32, then turned his attention to Fury and accused him of reneging on fighting him.

“He hasn’t been honurable to me at all. One minute he says he’ll fight me, the next he’s saying he won’t,” Whyte said. “Tyson talks a lot of rubbish. He says whatever he thinks. He doesn’t stick to anything he says. He’ll say one thing today, another tomorrow. His mind is like the wind, always changing.”

Warren has floated a potential clash between Whyte and another of his boxers, Daniel Dubois, and Whyte gave the suggestion short shrift.

“Frank needs to stay off the liquor,” he said. “He’s just trying to deviate from the Tyson Fury fight. Why would I fight Daniel Dubois when I am eligible for the WBC title?

“Daniel Dubois brings nothing whatsoever to the table. There’s no reason for me to fight him. They’re just trying to throw some bait out there for me to bite.”

Fury would have to give up his title if he doesn’t fight Whyte. If that happens, Whyte believes he should be elevated to champion, but he’d prefer to win the title in the ring.

“If they strip him, I shouldn’t have to fight anyone for the title because I’m interim champion,” he said. “I’ve had enough fights to justify being a world champion. I want to fight Tyson Fury. He says he’s the best heavyweight alive, and he’s the best heavyweight to walk the planet, and I want to fight the best.

“Hopefully he’s going to be a man of his word, not be a coward and vacate the belt.”

Dillian Whyte worried Tyson Fury will duck WBC title fight

Dillian Whyte is worried that Tyson Fury will give his WBC title rather than defend it against him.

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

***

Dillian Whyte says he hopes Tyson Fury won’t be a “coward” and duck out of a WBC title fight.

Whyte is scheduled to defend his “interim” title against Alexander Povetkin at Fight Camp on Saturday in Brentwood, England. A victory would set up a fight between the winner of Fury vs. Deontay Wilder III.

Fury’s co-promoter Frank Warren has suggested that any match-up between his fighter and Whyte is not under consideration because he wants to set up a title-unification clash between Fury and Anthony Joshua.

The WBC have confirmed that the next fight for the victor of Fury-Wilder would have to be against Whyte, and the Jamaican-born Briton criticized the pair on Wednesday afternoon when speaking to the press.

“Frank Warren can say whatever he wants, he says a lot of things,” Whyte said. “I think the WBC have come out and said it for the first time. They can’t go back on their word. I don’t think they would want the embarrassment that comes with that, and rightly so.

“It’s not like I haven’t earned it. It’s been almost three years now.”

Whyte, 32, then turned his attention to Fury and accused him of reneging on fighting him.

“He hasn’t been honurable to me at all. One minute he says he’ll fight me, the next he’s saying he won’t,” Whyte said. “Tyson talks a lot of rubbish. He says whatever he thinks. He doesn’t stick to anything he says. He’ll say one thing today, another tomorrow. His mind is like the wind, always changing.”

Warren has floated a potential clash between Whyte and another of his boxers, Daniel Dubois, and Whyte gave the suggestion short shrift.

“Frank needs to stay off the liquor,” he said. “He’s just trying to deviate from the Tyson Fury fight. Why would I fight Daniel Dubois when I am eligible for the WBC title?

“Daniel Dubois brings nothing whatsoever to the table. There’s no reason for me to fight him. They’re just trying to throw some bait out there for me to bite.”

Fury would have to give up his title if he doesn’t fight Whyte. If that happens, Whyte believes he should be elevated to champion, but he’d prefer to win the title in the ring.

“If they strip him, I shouldn’t have to fight anyone for the title because I’m interim champion,” he said. “I’ve had enough fights to justify being a world champion. I want to fight Tyson Fury. He says he’s the best heavyweight alive, and he’s the best heavyweight to walk the planet, and I want to fight the best.

“Hopefully he’s going to be a man of his word, not be a coward and vacate the belt.”