BoxRec

Dillian Whyte vs Alexander Povetkin set for August 22nd on DAZN



After seeing two planned dates fall through and seemingly getting the axe from Matchroom, the long-delayed heavyweight tussle between Dillian Whyte and Alexander Povetkin is back on track. Mike Coppinger reports that the two will cap off Matchroom’s Fight Camp series on August 22nd.

It remains as good a fight as when it was first booked; both remain top-flight heavyweights with a litany of strong performances under their belt and no losses to anyone below the division’s absolute elite.

There is, however, a possibility that the card lost its co-feature. Amanda Serrano, originally expected to co-headline against Katie Taylor, recently announced her refusal to accept a lowered purse and subsequent withdrawal. Both Lou DiBella and Eddie Hearn disputed her assertions, and Hearn now says that Serrano will get her “full purse” on a new August date.



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Press Release

Dillian Whyte will make the first defence of his WBC Interim Heavyweight World Title against Alexander Povetkin at Manchester Arena on Saturday May 2, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Brixton’s Whyte (27-1, 18 KOs) landed the WBC Title with a unanimous decision win over Oscar Rivas in an exciting battle at The O2 in London back in July 2019 before travelling to Saudi Arabia in December where he outpointed former World Title challenger Mariusz Wach on the Ruiz vs. Joshua 2 undercard.

Russian dangerman Povetkin (35-2-1, 24 KOs), an Olympic gold medallist and former WBA World Champion, proved that he still has what it takes to be a force in the Heavyweight division in 2019 with a win over Hughie Fury in August and a split decision draw with rising Heavyweight contender Michael Hunter in an all-out war in Diriyah.

“This is a great fight, Povetkin is an Olympic gold medallist, has loads of experience, he’s a former World Champion and he’s only lost to Joshua and Klitschko,” said Whyte. “He is still very dangerous, he gave AJ a lot of problems and then beat Hughie Fury. I am not overlooking him at all, he will come in shape, he’s tough and very well-schooled.

"You only have to look at his resume to see that he's always been considered as one of the most fearsome punchers in the Heavyweight division with big KO wins over Huck, Charr, Takam, Wach and Price. He showed in Saudi Arabia that he still has a lot left in the tank and he is still very dangerous. I’ve got respect for him but I’m on to maximum violence, straight animal instinct.

“I want to be Heavyweight Champion of the World so anywhere in the world is my lion’s den. If you aspire to be World Champion, you should be able to fight anywhere. Manchester is a great city with great fight fans and I’m looking forward to going back there.”

"I am pleased to fight Whyte, it has long been discussed but didn't happen for whatever reason,” said Povetkin. “Dillian is a good strong boxer and it will make for an interesting fight. I am not about big announcements, I am about winning in the ring, and on May 2nd people will see a spectacular fight."

"This is a Heavyweight thriller and so important to the landscape of the division," said Eddie Hearn. "Dillian Whyte sits as Mandatory Challenger to Tyson Fury and while the wait is frustrating, Dillian continues to take high risk fights and that’s why he is such a fans' favourite.

"The last time Dillian fought at this arena, we witnessed all time classic against Derek Chisora, We are planning a huge night in Manchester as Dillian Whyte continues to march towards a shot at the Heavyweight World Title."

"I think all boxing fans can agree that we are up for a great fight,” said Head of World of Boxing Promotions Andrey Ryabinskiy. "Both stylistically and in terms of what's at stake in this fight makes it a spectacular and anticipated event.

“Of course, we believe in Alexander but have to understand that Dillian Whyte is a tough opponent who's strong and ambitious, besides he has come a long way to be in a championship fight. Many would wait out for an easier opportunity, but he decided that he needs this fight and it commands respect."

“Dillian Whyte guarantees Heavyweight drama and we’re expecting another explosive encounter against Alexander Povetkin,” said Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing Development.

“Whyte is within touching distance of a World Title, but still keeps taking risks against dangerous rivals, and we’ve already seen the threat of Povetkin, who overpowered David Price and posed early problems to Anthony Joshua.

“Dillian can prove himself again as one of the world’s best and there could be a very special announcement in the coming days. May 2 in Manchester should be a magnificent night of boxing.”

Tickets for Whyte vs. Povetkin are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £200 and £400 (VIP).

Tickets go on sale to Fight Pass members from 10.00am on Thursday March 5 via StubHb (www.stubhub.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com).

General Sale tickets are available to purchase from 10.00am on Friday March 6 via Manchester Arena (www.manchester-arena.com), StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com).

I'll be at the Taylor fight but regardless of that, i wouldn't be buying it anyway. Still it's a pain in the balls when there's 2 cards on the same night!

Stuarty wrote: ↑03 Mar 2020, 11:23 I'll be at the Taylor fight but regardless of that, i wouldn't be buying it anyway. Still it's a pain in the balls when there's 2 cards on the same night!

BT will probably air the Taylor fight. Maybe..

I wonder what Michael Hunter’s next bout will be.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑03 Mar 2020, 11:37

Stuarty wrote: ↑03 Mar 2020, 11:23 I'll be at the Taylor fight but regardless of that, i wouldn't be buying it anyway. Still it's a pain in the balls when there's 2 cards on the same night!

BT will probably air the Taylor fight. Maybe..

Aye i think they are mate as far as i'm aware. It's only 10 mins up the road from me so i've made sure i've no kids that weekend and i'm going.

A one of the best fights to make today. A competetive, 50/50 matchup, which can turn to a slugfest. A lot will depend on Whyte's shape though. Povetkin is pretty consistent recently. Whyte was getting better, but then he was troubled by the time-off caused due to the doping scandal.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑03 Mar 2020, 11:39 I wonder what Michael Hunter’s next bout will be.

I think he'll be on the AJ card in case of a drop out.

Whyte - Povetkin doesn't really interest me. Not really a PPV main event at Povetkin stage of this career, Will watch JT fight instead. Tell they are milking it and this should be the type of fight to be on just before AJ next fight.

Glass Joe wrote: ↑03 Mar 2020, 12:28 Whyte - Povetkin doesn't really interest me. Not really a PPV main event at Povetkin stage of this career, Will watch JT fight instead. Tell they are milking it and this should be the type of fight to be on just before AJ next fight.

Yeh. Easily an AJ PPV undercard fight.

I won't be surprised if Povetkin stops Whyte.

Verdi wrote: ↑03 Mar 2020, 12:42 I won't be surprised if Povetkin stops Whyte.

Me either actually.
For the sake of the division, I hope not. Povitkin is a bit of a dinosaur. I was hoping he would pack it in last year. Dillion is not the future either, but I was hoping a young up and coming fighter would take him out, not a relic from the Klitchko era

Maybe they'll wheel Sean Dodd out for the undercard

Box office what a joke

Good fight though ya doesn't feel a box office fight

Pisstake of a PPV.

Povetkin is shot it's an easy scalp for Whyte I'm surprised Joyce or DD didn't try to get povetkin as he'd be a big name

Wouldn't say shot, he was even with Michael Hunter last fight, that's not such a low level

Will need strong undercard - Bakole/Hrgovic and Callum Johnson likely 2 of them.

Makes me laugh, they're actually defending the interim title now

Only a strong undercard could make me have any interest in this .
Poor match at this stage in Whytes career , Povetkin surely coming towards the end of his , how much ambition can he have left?

rd350lc wrote: ↑03 Mar 2020, 16:23 Only a strong undercard could make me have any interest in this .
Poor match at this stage in Whytes career , Povetkin surely coming towards the end of his , how much ambition can he have left?

Who isn't a poor match for Whyte? Just Wilder, Josh, Fury?

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑03 Mar 2020, 14:12 Wouldn't say shot, he was even with Michael Hunter last fight, that's not such a low level

Not terrible but povetkin was the No1 heavyweight challenger for a long time the likes of hunter wouldn't of gone the distance let alone a draw which I thought hunter won plus he was hurt Vs price .

paddy chavez wrote: ↑03 Mar 2020, 14:09 Povetkin is shot it's an easy scalp for Whyte I'm surprised Joyce or DD didn't try to get povetkin as he'd be a big name

Matchroom signed Pov on a co-promotional deal.