Unexpected denouement: Povetkin knocked out White and became interim WBC world champion

"Povetkin is not used to the feeling of defeat"

The importance of the fight with Dillian White for Alexander Povetkin was difficult to overestimate, because this fight was for the 40-year-old Russian, perhaps the last chance to get the right to fight for the world champion belt.

In the British Brentwood, the title of interim champion of the planet according to the WBC version, as well as the honorary belt according to the version of the WBC Diamond, were at stake. The winner got the opportunity to meet with its permanent owner Tyson Fury. True, now you will probably have to wait for the champion to fight Deontay Wilder or Anthony Joshua. However, sooner or later, the holder of the honorary belt should be able to fight for the title.

At the same time, the last fights with the participation of the Russian and the British took place on the undercard of the second fight between Joshua and Brian Ruiz on December 7, 2019. Povetkin parted ways with Michael Hunter, and White, with great difficulty, broke the resistance of Mariusz Wach. 

On the eve of the Essex fight, many experts and fans called Dillian one of the most dangerous opponents in the career of the Russian Knight. Firstly, the Briton had to box at home, even with empty stands. Secondly, he is eight years younger. Thirdly, it is heavier by almost 13 kg.

At the official weigh-in, White showed 114.3 kg on the scales, and Povetkin - 101.6 kg. In addition, Dillian has incredible punching power: 18 of 27 wins he got by knockout.

Alexander had an invaluable experience on his side, including conducting battles with opponents of the highest class. Let the Briton's assets include victories over Robert Helenius, Derek Chisora ​​and Joseph Parker, but he never met with rivals like Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko.

It is curious that the owner of three championship belts himself admitted before the reporting fight that he believed in Povetkin's possible success.

“The question is, how did White train. If correct, he will cope with Povetkin. He is a real fighter. But Povetkin is a well-trained heavyweight boxer. He is an Olympic champion, and lost only to me and Vladimir Klitschko. He is a good fighter, rarely lost, so he was not used to this feeling. Alexander is still eager to fight and will enter the ring with thoughts of victory ”, - quotes Joshua Sky Sports.    

Two knockdowns in the fourth round and an incredible denouement

White went to the duel wearing a vest with the words "Maximum violence", stylized as a drop of blood. Visually, Dillian was visibly nervous and paced along the ropes while the ring announcer introduced the fighters. Povetkin, as usual, was as collected and calm as possible and did not pay the slightest attention to his opponent. 

But from the first minutes of the battle it became obvious that the British would act with a cool head. He did not seek to immediately get on the rampage, as in some of his other fights, but calmly waited for the moment.

Obviously, White's coaches took into account Povetkin's age and asked the ward to take his time in the first rounds. They could not help but understand: the longer the fight goes on, the worse for the 40-year-old Russian.

Therefore, Dillian calmly kept Alexander at a distance and worked great with a left jab. One got the impression that the ring owner had this blow in 90% of cases. Povetkin, on the other hand, could not feel the required distance and did not inflict any tangible damage on his opponent.

In the second round, the Russian boxer finally delivered several dangerous blows to the liver area, but White was ready for them. In response, he continued to calmly work with the left jab. Povetkin missed quite a few attacks from the opponent.

The next three minutes turned out to be more equal. Dangerous attacks were carried out by both one and the other boxer. However, the impression was that White was still in no hurry to turn on at full capacity and was waiting for the Russian to get tired. The time spent in the ring was already beginning to affect him. After another hit of the opponent, the Russian was openly shaken.

But really serious problems began in Povetkin in the fourth round. No sooner had he started than Alexander missed the left side and ended up on the ring floor. However, the domestic boxer quickly came to his senses. 

It was much more difficult for Alexander after the opponent's left uppercut towards the end of the three-minute period. The referee counted out another knockdown to the Russian, and it became frankly alarming for his fate, given that the fight was approaching its equator.

But the fifth round gave the fans an incredible denouement. Povetkin, who seemed to be doing almost nothing, finally took advantage of the second relaxation of the Briton and brought a severe left uppercut to his jaw.

White, who was walking calmly and calculatingly to victory, fell unconscious on the ropes. Knockout. So Alexander reminded everyone that in the heavyweight division, everything is often decided by one accurate and powerful blow.

"Perhaps this is the best hit of my career."

The athlete, who turns 41 on September 2, won the interim WBC world champion title and the WBC Diamond belt. Alexander knocked out an opponent for the 25th time in his career. In 39 fights in professional status, he has 36 wins, one draw and two defeats. Now Povetkin will be able to fight Fury.

Immediately after the fight, the Russian assured that two knockdowns in the fourth round did not affect him in any way, and told how he managed to knock out an opponent.

“I watched some of White's fights and saw what he was missing from below. Lucky to hit the bottom left well. Perhaps this is the best blow in my career, "- said the Russian live on the Sky Sports TV channel. 

Also, the domestic boxer answered the question about the upcoming fights and possible opponents.

“It doesn't depend on me. I am ready to box with any opponent. I would like to thank my promoter Andrey Ryabinsky and Eddie Hearn for providing the opportunity to perform in England. They love and understand boxing here. How would you respond to people who think I need to end my career? Nothing. I just want to box more, ”Povetkin added.