- Alexander Povetkin, a 40-year-old Russian boxer, may have secured the knockout of the year.
- The veteran heavyweight had dropped twice in the fourth round of his game against Dillian Whyte.
- But then in the fifth he masterfully struck Whyte with a capital letter so powerful, it struck the Briton before his back had even hit the canvas.
- Check out the beautiful finish below.
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Veteran heavyweight Alexander Povetkin rose from the canvas to score a knockout of the year against Dillian Whyte in a must-see match.
The bout took place in the backyard of Eddie Hearn’s director of Matchroom Sport – a finale after his stay of four events at “Fight Camp”, which is a room for back-locked doors designed to fighters, keep personnel and media safe from the coronavirus.
“Fight Camp” was no different than what Hearn had previously promoted.
There was pre-fight cricket in the British boxing ring earlier in the week, post-weight karaoke on Friday, and a lot of pyrotechnics on Saturday when the two heavyweights made their rounds with the skyscrapers of the financial district of London through the star-lit skyline in the distance.
Whyte boxed patiently and comfortably in the opening rounds, and he showed that he needed the points to collect the necessary points, if not rather a stop.
Victory for the Briton would have forced a mandate shot at Tyson Fury’s WBC heavyweight championship, and with Povetkin falling twice in round four, Whyte – and his promoter Hearn – could feel like they were minutes from that guaranteed pay year next year.
But then the fifth round happened. And Povetkin, who won Olympic gold 16 years ago, landed one of the biggest punches of his entire career in his 39th pro fight in 2020, 40 years old.
Sensing White threw a straight right, Povetkin was able to dodge the shot completely by dipping to the left and with his fist deep in his head he pulled the trigger for a well-timed top shot that cracked his opponent on the chin.
The technically-exquisite maneuver produced a punch so powerful, Whyte was cut out before his back even hit the canvas. And it was from there that he failed to make the count, and did not get up again until minutes were over.
It was all over.
Whyte was on his back, cut out, in the fifth round.
Photo by Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing
It was heartbreaking for Whyte because the obligatory shot at a world title from him was ripped.
But for Povetkin, it was cheering with poker, because the Russian proved that life is in the old dog even with a declared victory over a top-10 opponent.
See the finish right here:
—DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) August 22, 2020
Here’s another angle:
—DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) August 22, 2020
“I felt like I was in some dream. The fight was pure, “promoter Hearn said after the fight, thinking victory for Whyte had secured by the fourth.
“Povetkin started well, measured Dillian Whyte and had a great finish to the third round. Then he had two heavy knockdowns in the fourth round. I know I felt it, and a lot of people felt it was over.
“But this is the drama of the sport we love. This is the drama of heavyweight boxing – one punch can change everything. And last night, one punch changed the fight just completely.
“There’s that chapter that some believe Whyte is sensitive to and Povetkin slipped right down and delivered it. Unbelievable. It’s a shock.
“We knew how good Povetkin was and we knew how dangerous he was. Dillan Whyte had that fight pretty much in his bag, but we know how dangerous these elite heavyweights can be. It was just an exciting knockout on an exciting night. I am pretty much lost for words. “
Alexander Povetkin was victorious.
Photo by Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing
Earlier in the night, Katie Taylor maintained her undisputed lightweight championship belts with a unanimous decision win over Dolphin Person.
The rematch of Taylor vs. Person was booked at “Fight Camp” because of a competitive first match last year, which the Irish woman won.
The second fight proved just as exciting as Taylor’s rocket accuracy opened small cuts, broke Person’s nose and caused large bruises on her cheek.
When Person was the bigger and more unrelenting puncher, Taylor did not escape unscathed, as a hematoma matured on her forehead.
Towards the end, the judges scored the fight in favor of Taylor, who extended her run of win to 2-0 against Person and 16-0 in her career so far.
Katie Taylor advised Delfine Person again.
Photo by Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing
“I think it was a lot more convincing last night, even though it was a tough fight,” Taylor said.
“But … it will always be a tough fight against such a person and you will have to dig deep and show a lot of heart during many stages of the fight. But I think I did that well, I box well.”
The media then asked Taylor if she would undertake a trilogy contest after two hard-fought, TV-friendly victories.
“Come, give me a break!” sei se.
