Dillian Whyte vs Alexander Povetkin on shaky ground due to COVID-19!
While virtually all boxing events for the next few months have bitten the dust, Dillian “The Body Snatcher” Whyte (27-1, 18 KO’s) versus Alexander “Russian Vityaz” Povetkin (35-2-1, 24 KO’s) is still holding on.
In the eyes of many it’s only a matter of time before this bout is also scraped. Hell even the biggest attraction in the UK, unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and his mandatory defense against Kubrat Pulev was cancelled and that fight was scheduled to take place more than a month later!
Yet, until that moment comes, if it comes, the two are scheduled to test their might against one another on May 2, in the Manchester Arena located in the UK.
TRAINING THROUGH THE STORM
In order to train for the event that is now highly in question Whyte made a 40 hour drive to Portugal. Obviously, he is well aware of the global impact of COVID-19 and understands that at the drop of a dime his bout could get canned. Despite this realization, as the Body Snatcher told to Sky Sports, he believes that it’s the smart move to continue training as if nothing is transpiring in the off chance that the bout does push through.
“It’s been good. Obviously it’s been challenging as well. The logistics of moving people around and getting my team here…but we’re just remaining professional, keep training. Training camp is about improving and keep building layers on top of layers so I’ve just been getting on being professional.”
Thoughts on the fight potentially getting canceled
“You know, it is what it is. There is a lot of serious illness in the world and a lot of people worrying so if the fight goes ahead, great! If it doesn’t then we’ll reschedule and we’ll go again. But at the minute it’s still going ahead, it’s still training, training camp is in still full steam.
“But like I said, there are far more important things going on in the world at the minute than boxing. But as a professional I have to keep training, I keep staying motivated and keep training like it’s going to happen. If it goes ahead I don’t want to get caught with my trousers down.”
JOSHUA FAKING THE FUNK
Throughout the buildup for his prizefight with Povetkin, Whyte has upheld him as a dangerous and very worthy challenger. With this being the case however, the bout that he truly wanted was a rematch with Joshua (23-1, 21 KO’s). The two big men staged a violent and very entertaining dogfight near five full years ago in the O2 Arena located in London.
After initially hurting AJ early in the fight, Whyte was later rocked, dropped and stopped in the seventh round of the memorable affair. Ever since this fight Whyte has energetically sought a rematch. It appeared that the Body Snatcher was going to get his shot in 2019, but when all was said and done he feels that being offered the bout was just a bunch of grand standing.
“Well I been saying I want the rematch since the fight. Obviously they tried to lie to the public that they wanted to fight in June…they weren’t serious about the fight. They were just using me as a scapegoat to just pretend that they wanted to make the fight.
“But listen, if he wants to fight I’m here! He knows where I’m at! They know my values! They know I know the game inside and out!
“So if they want the fight we can make the fight happen. No point in pretending you want the fight…we’re both Sky fighters, we’re both with Matchroom, we’re both British! if you want the fight the fight is there!
“No point in lying to the fans, talking rubbish, saying this and saying that. I’ll fight anyone, any time anywhere, if he wants it he can get it.”
STAY TUNED
It will be very interesting to see if the Whyte v Povetkin bout actually takes place. Yet given the rate at which COVID-19 continues to spreads and warp social interactions its very unlikely that it will. Yet, no matter what happens, stay tuned to 3kingsboxoing for all the latest boxing news and updates.
By: Bakari Simpson
