Dillian Whyte: Alexander Povetkin’s team were going to throw in the towel before knockout

Povetkin and Whyte fought in August last year with the British fighter the heavy favourite before Povetkin pulled off a surprise win with a knockout uppercut blow.

A rematch was planned for November and then January but Povetkin’s coronavirus infection and then the wider coronavirus pandemic caused delays. The pair are now due to fight on Saturday in Gibraltar to contest the 41-year-old WBC interim champion’s title.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Whyte claimed that Povetkin had told him he hurt him during their first match.

"I know how much I hurt him because of what he said to me after the fight," Whyte said.

"He's a guy who doesn't speak English but he came to me and said: 'You are way better than I thought, you are very strong, very good'. He didn't think I would activate a rematch clause at the time!"

Whyte said that Povetkin’s team almost brought the fight to a premature end.

"He was done - they were saying 'we are pulling you out at the end of this round',” he said.

Povetkin denied that, saying: "There was no such conversation in the corner. The people who know me know that I fight until the end."

Promoter Eddie Hearn has said that Whyte is a changed fighter ahead of the duel on Saturday, and the boxer himself knows he faces a tough challenge.

"He's a top fighter. He had 200-odd amateur fights, winning everything, he has beaten top fighters,” Whyte said of Povetkin.

"But I'm coming for war on Saturday night. I'm coming to put the hurt on him as soon as possible. I'm coming to do damage.

"Last time, I didn't hit him properly. They were glancing punches. If I land properly on any heavyweight I can destroy somebody.

"I can knock out any man on this planet. I carry power in both hands. You've seen me knock out guys that don't usually get knocked out.

"Povetkin is tough and resilient but also very dangerous. I know what I need to do."