Dillian Whyte has the opportunity to avenge his staggering knockout defeat by Alexander Povetkin, and put himself back into contention for the WBC title, when the pair face off in a much anticipated rematch in Gibraltar on Saturday night.
Just over seven months ago, Povetkin stunned the boxing world when the two heavyweights met first time around as his vicious upper-cut left Whyte laying unconscious on the canvas, leading to a fifth-round victory for the Russian fighter.
Despite the spectacular nature of the finish, Whyte had been controlling the contest for large periods up until that stage but failed to capitalise on the round prior when he knocked Povetkin down on two occasions. The pair’s style meant the fight was tailor-made for left-hooks and it turned out to be the exact shot that not only floored Povetkin, but ended the fight as well.
The loss came as a massive blow to Whyte’s ambitions to challenge Tyson Fury for the WBC belt, a goal which the 32-year-old had been hunting down for the best part of two-and-a-half years. However, he appears confident that he can learn from his mistakes and get Povetkin out of there early this time around.
Dillian Whyte confident of exacting revenge
In an interview with Sky Sports, he said of his opponent: ‘He’s a top fighter. He had 200-odd amateur fights, winning everything, he has beaten top fighters. But I’m coming in for war on Saturday night. I’m coming to put the hurt on him as soon as possible. I’m coming to do damage.
‘Last time, I didn’t hit him properly. They were glancing punches. If I land properly on any heavyweight I can destroy somebody. I can knock out any man on this planet. I carry power in both hands. You’ve seen me knock out guys that don’t usually get knocked out. Povetkin is tough and resilient but also very dangerous. I know what I’ve got to do.’
After dominating the early rounds previously, Whyte cannot afford for an air of complacency to creep into his performance, which may have done in the last bout.
Although the defeat only came as the second loss in his career, taking his record to 29 fights with 27 wins, promoter Eddie Hearn believes that if a repeat was to take place that his fighters opportunity at winning a world title may be gone.
‘Dillian Whyte’s aim and our aim is to get him in the position to fight for the world heavyweight championship,’ he said.
‘Without that, I don’t think he has any interest, career-wise. That is the ultimate strategy, aim, focus. If he loses against Povetkin, that is out – and it’s not just out for six months or a year. That could be out forever.’
As all good slugfest’s deserve another, Whyte and Povetkin duly obliged, as they battle it out to see which fighter deserves a shot at dethroning one the kings at the top of the heavyweight division.
