Boxing
Dillian Whyte, Alexander Povetkin ready to do whatever it takes to win Gibraltar rematch
Check for Whyte-Povetkin 2 on DAZN in your country
Like most heavyweight slugfests, the rematch between Dillian Whyte vs. Alexander Povetkin 2 this Saturday Mar. 27 on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and Ireland and DAZN almost everywhere else has a very high likelihood of a knockout finish.
Of course, their first bout back in August ended in that very nature early in round five, albeit very much against the run of play.
However, with both fighters and their teams now on the island of Gibraltar ahead of running it back at a very unique venue, both were keen to play down their respective search for a fireworks finish and vowed to take the win any way they could.
Whyte, who lost the interim WBC title and the opportunity to become Tyson Fury's mandatory challenger when he was caught out by Povetkin's killer uppercut last year, realizes it's now or never if he ever wants to hold a world heavyweight title.
"The first fight was a good fight. We both fought well," the Londoner told promoter Eddie Hearn at the final pre-fight press conference. "I knocked him down a couple of times, but credit to him, he landed a good punch. I'm glad he took the rematch, and thanks to Sky, Matchroom, my team, his team, and everyone else. I just come to the ring to fight. I don't care. I enjoy fighting. I enjoy what I do. It's been difficult for everyone, this last year. I'm just trying to do my part to bring our beloved sport back to normality. We're doing the best we can. We want to get big-time boxing back, and this fight is as big as any world title fight.
"I've outfought better fighters, I've out jabbed faster fighters, I've smashed some hard hitters. The main thing is to win. Whatever I need to do to win, I'll do it. This is the most important fight of my career, but this is boxing. I'm used to bouncing back. I'm constantly improving. I'm still learning and getting better every day, and on Saturday, I leave it all on the line again."
Povetkin is now 41, but the prospect of one last world title tilt should he repeat his feat over Whyte will be too appealing to resist, amplifying his motivation for the return bout.
"First of all, I just want to thank Matchroom and Eddie," he said via an interpreter. "I'm very happy to be in this unusual place. I'm relaxed, just thinking about Saturday and showing people what I'm about.
"I think Dillian will be better in the second fight, so I will try to be careful and pay attention to my defense. I am not of the mindset that I will knock him out because it could go the distance. I am not focused on the knockout. I will just follow my gameplan."
Whyte vs. Povetkin 2 takes place live this Saturday on DAZN everywhere else (except China) and on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and Ireland.
