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Nick Parkinson
Dillian Whyte is back in contention for the world heavyweight title after taking revenge on Alexander Povetkin with a technical knockout victory in the fourth round on Saturday.
Whyte regained the provisional WBC title after flattening Povetkin with a left hook at the Europa Point Sports Complex in Gibraltar, a British overseas territory located in the extreme south of Spain.
Povetkin knocked out Whyte last August, but was unable to repeat the feat since he was defeated for the third time as a professional. His two other defeats came on points for Wladimir Klitschko for the WBA, IBF and WBO titles in 2013 and for Anthony Joshua’s stoppage for the same belts three years ago.
Although Povetkin may be thinking about retiring, Whyte has given his career the boost it needs. However, with rival world champions Tyson Fury (WBC) and Joshua (WBA, IBF, WBO) in advanced negotiations on a two-fight deal, Whyte’s wait for a chance at a first world title will continue for some time.
“If he wants a rematch and it’s the right money, I will fight him again because I shouldn’t have lost the first time – I’m angry with myself,” said Whyte of Povetkin.
“Since the first round I was with him, so I thought I needed to relax and not explode. He just lost to Klitschko and Joshua – it shows how good he is. I can beat anyone.”
This was a dangerous and obligatory fight for Whyte. Povetkin may be reaching 41, but in recent years he has proven that his power still makes him one of boxing’s biggest heavyweights. Last August, Povetkin (36-3-1, 25 KOs) recovered from two knockdowns in the fourth round to knock out Whyte with a left uppercut in the fifth.
Whyte (28-2, 19 KOs), 32, simply could not afford a third career loss, after also being interrupted by Joshua in 2015. The loss to Povektin cost Whyte first place in the line for a WBC title dispute , and he dropped to No. 6 in the ratings of that governing body. The other three governing bodies do not even rank Whyte in the top ten.
Saturday’s victory repaired the damage caused to Whyte’s career last summer, after beating the most experienced heavyweight contenders.
“Tonight was about putting his career back on track, and he showed tonight that he would not be denied. We are back where we wanted to be and the goal remains the same – to give Dillian a shot at the world title,” said the promoter of the Matchroom Eddie Hearn, who expects Whyte to fight again in the summer.
Whyte, who moved from Jamaica to London at the age of 12, released his hands in the first round and Povetkin was staggered in two shots before quickly recovering.
Povektin, who had tested positive for COVID-19, causing the rematch to be postponed from November, saw a different side of Whyte on Monday, while the Londoner patiently struggled with his jab.
Whyte hurt Povetkin with a right in the third round, and the English boxer swayed in the fourth. Later on Wednesday, Whyte swung Povetkin with a two, and when the Russian stumbled into the ring, Whyte attacked with a right hook and a left hook. Povetin fell on the canvas, and when he got up again on shaky legs, the fight was dismissed.
Then Whyte fetched a stool for the stunned Povetkin to sit before celebrating in front of a limited crowd of 500 due to coronavirus restrictions.
In the tie, Campbell Hatton – son of former two-weight world champion Ricky Hatton – made a successful professional debut with a 40-36 point win over Jesus Ruiz of Spain (0-11). Hatton, 20, attacked the body just as his father used to do, and he won all rounds in a light four-round bout.
“I don’t think I did my best. I think my nerves got to me; it can only get better next time,” said Hatton.
Ted Cheeseman (17-2-1, 10 KOs) claimed the British super welterweight title with a dramatic ending in a victory over James Metcalf 11th round (21-1, 13 KOs).
Cheeseman, a Londoner nicknamed “The Big Cheese”, hit a volley of shots and finished off Metcalf with a left hook to the chin at the end of the 11th.
English heavyweight Fabio Wardley (11-0, 10 KOs), coached by Ricky Hatton, scored a fifth round knockout victory over 38-year-old Texan Eric Molina (27-7, 19 KOs). Molina, who was stopped by Joshua and Deontay Wilder in world title contests in 2016 and 2015, respectively, was doing well until Wardley, 26, fought the ropes with great effect.