After more than 1,000 days as WBCs no. 1 heavyweight driver, Dillian Whyte took the risk of putting his coveted status – and the WBC interim championship – on the line against 40-year-old Alexander Povetkin. The risk did not pay off at the Fightkamp on Matchroom Boxing on Saturday, with Povetkin scoring a brutal comeback knockout for the rebellious victory to claim the WBC interim heavyweight championship.
The fight began with some close rounds, both men working out the jab and digging shots at the body. But Whyte stepped on the gas in Round 4, first grabbing Povetkin with two right hands and then a cuffing left hand to score a knockdown before scoring a moment later with a hard overhand. Whyte did not have enough time to go before the finish before the round came close, however, and Povetkin looked to come back when he came out of his corner to start Round 5.
Thirty seconds later it was all over. Povetkin released an error-free left upper shot to Whyte’s chin, stiffening his body and sending him down the ropes and toward the canvas.
“There was no need for a count, as the referee said goodbye to the match at the 0:30 mark of the fifth round, a beautiful turn of events that divided the heavyweight division up under the” big three “by Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua.
After his victory, Povetkin revealed that the capital letter he used to complete the fight was something he and his team had trained for, and that he maintained his confidence even after winning Round 4 twice. slein.
“I didn’t feel like I was going to finish the fight like that, but I was pretty confident in the fourth round,” Povetkin said. “Yes, I went down twice, but it was not too much damage. … I looked at his fights and realized he was missing the capital letter from left and right. That was what I trained for just those shots.”
Whyte had patiently waited for his chance to fight for the WBC belt while Wilder and Fury fought through their rivalry. After looking out of shape in the previous fight, a decisive win over Mariusz Wach this past December, Whyte showed that he was much more physically fit to be caught only by Povetkin’s brutal left.
Matchroom boxing promoter Eddie Hearn was quick to point out that the men had a rematch clause in the contract and that he plans to get Whyte and Povetkin back together. The hope would be that Whyte will restore his former status as the mainstay of the WBC.
“We have a rematch clause,” Hearn said. “The first thing Dillian said was, ‘Give me that rematch. Give me that rematch.’ It was a heavy knockout, so he will have to recover. We will execute this rematch clause …. He will pass Alexander Povetkin again and I believe he can beat him and bring his No. 1 position back to life. Tonight, this is the ups and downs of boxing. “
CBS Sports was with you all the way on Saturday, so be sure to read below for all the results and highlights of the Fight Camp action.
Whyte vs. Povetkin Map Result
Alexander Povetkin def. Dillian Whyte (c) via KO fifth round (capital letter) to win WBC interim heavyweight title
Katie Taylor def. Delphine Person by Unanimous Decision (98-93, 96-94)
Chris Kongo def. Luther Clay via ninth-round TKO
Alen Babic def. Shawndell Winters through second round TKO
Zak Chelli vs. Jack Cullen ruled a split draw (97-93, 95-96, 95-95)
Whyte vs. Povetkin scorecard, live coverage
|
Whyte |
9 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
39 |
||||||||
|
Povetkin |
10 |
9 |
9 |
7 |
KO |
35 |
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