WBC contender Dillian Whyte was left needing air and medical attention after he suffered a stunning knock-out to Alexander Povetkin on Saturday night.
32 years old Dillian, who controlled in most part of the rounds, was cruising after flooring Povetkin twice in the fourth round, but the Russian fought back in the fifth round and succeeded in pulling a superb left upper cut that sent Whyte crushing to the floor.
BOXING: Dillian Whyte Knocked Out Cold By Alexander Povetkin https://t.co/7N41cUzHNe via @YouTube The impact of Povetkin's uppercut on Dillian has further exposed his (Dillian) vulnerability against uppercuts as this was similar to his ordeal in previous fights…
— StarMedia Renaissance (@media_ren) August 23, 2020
The impact of Povetkin’s uppercut on Dillian has further exposed his (Dillian) vulnerability against uppercuts as this was similar to his ordeal in the hands of heavy weight champion Anthony Joshua and Oscar Rivas in the past.
Willian Whyte has now lost his WBC mandatory position and a shot at the winner of Tyson Fury against Deontey Wilder. But Povetkin, 40, will now be the one to make effort to enforce a clash with Fury or Wilder early next year.
Meanwhile, WBC champion in his reaction to Alexander Povetkin tweeted “40 & Proud” to commend the spectacular victory of the Russian.
40 & proud 👍 https://t.co/oMui1aooNR
— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) August 22, 2020
Also, Promoter Eddie Hearn, in his reaction, said straight away that Whyte will enforce the rematch but, for now, his world title shot is gone and his career is in tatters. “Two heavy knockdowns from Whyte – people felt it was over. This is the drama of heavyweight boxing. One punch completely changed the fight. “It is a shock. He wasn’t that much of an outsider – we knew how good Povetkin was. It was a thrilling knockout on a thrilling night.” He said.
Heavy Weight champion, Anthony Joshua, while fielding questions from journalists, was quick to stand in solidarity Dillian as he urged the loser to “reflect before coming back again”. “This is just a blip in his career,” he said. “Dillian fights for himself.
“People are going to talk now, people are going to say all sorts of stuff about his performance and stuff.
“Dillian’s a fighter, so I’m sticking with him as a fighter to say dust yourself off, get back up and go again.