FOR four rounds last summer, Dillian Whyte was boxing better than he had ever done in his entire career and finally appeared destined to claim his shot at the world heavyweight title.
As the number one contender with the WBC for the previous three years, Whyte was primed to face off against newly-minted Tyson Fury before the end of 2020, with the winner moving on to a unification fight with Anthony Joshua.
Then one punch changed everything. When Russian Alexander Povetkin slumped back in his corner at the end of the fourth round, having been on the floor twice, Whyte had every reason to celebrate as he gazed out of the ring, set-up due to Covid restrictions in Matchroom supremo Barry Hearn’s back garden.
The 40-year-old former WBA champion appeared finished. Saved by the bell somewhat, Povetkin looked on borrowed time with Whyte moving smoother, punching sharper and boxing more determined than in any of his previous 28 fights.
Huge upset Povetkin rises from the canvas twice to knock Whyte out in round 5! [Via @DAZN_USA ] #FightCamp #WhytePovetkin #whytevspovetkin pic.twitter.com/BnzNtf1DCN
— BOXING CONNOISSEUR | OFFICIAL (@bxnconnoisseur) August 22, 2020
Then; catastrophe. Just 30 seconds into round five ‘The Body Snatcher’ was relieved of his senses and interim belt when Povetkin landed the punch of his career, a terrific left uppercut, that literally lifted Whyte off his feet.
Best laid plans obliterated.
Fast forward to this weekend, the rematch, over a thousand miles away in Gibraltar when, seven months on, Whyte gets the chance to rebuild his title aspirations, albeit on completely different terms.
Forget about Fury and Joshua. They’re weighing up locations for the first in a series of super-fights which will likely lock down on the heavyweight title belts for at least the next 12–18 months. Whyte, still only 32, cannot afford to look outside of the ring again. He has to finish the job he started so well last August against a far more dangerous Povetkin, whose confidence will have skyrocketed with that knockout of the year still fresh in his knuckles.
The former Olympic and world amateur champion kept his own boxing career alive with the highlight reel uppercut and he’s experienced enough to know that he can ill afford to start as slowly again. This rematch was originally set for November, it’s worth noting, before Povetkin caught Covid-19 forcing its postponement. His recovery could impact on his performance.
Victory for Whyte will no longer result in the heavyweight world title fight that’s likely long overdue. But it will keep the Brixton ‘Body Snatcher’ in amongst the division’s leading contenders.
Two heavyweights, fighting to remain relevant in a revitalised division and both with the knowledge they can hurt one another. Get ready for fireworks, this one isn’t going to go the distance either.
Early Predictions?
Stipe Miocic vs Francis Ngannou at #UFC260 next Saturday! pic.twitter.com/Alm2FYDgSe
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) March 21, 2021
UFC260
* Whyte-Povetkin isn’t the only heavyweight rematch action this weekend as UFC champion Stipe Miocic makes the second defence of his title against Francis Ngannou at the Apex in Las Vegas.
Miocic, the most successful heavyweight in UFC history, out-wrestled the big punching Cameroonian in their first meeting in January 2018. But Ngannou has now clocked up four straight first round knockouts to climb back into contention.
Add value to a Whyte knockout by doubling up on Ngannou to celebrate the coronation of two new belt holders.
TIP:
Whyte by knockout Rounds 4-6 – 4/1
Ngannou by knockout Round 1 – 21/10
A £10 double on both returns £150 – Bet Here
