HERE is the punch which shattered Dillian Whyte’s 1,000-day dream of being world heavyweight champion.
It took barely 15 minutes for the Body Snatcher’s hopes to lay in tatters thanks to Alexander Povetkin’s perfect fifth-round upper cut.
Alexander Povetkin lands the brutal fifth-round upper cut which sent Dillian Whyte into a different stratosphere
Alexander Povetkin prepares to land the punch which floored Dillian Whyte – and possibly the Londoner’s careerCredit: ©Mark Robinson Ltd
The left was known as the Russian’s most powerful shot but the uppercut met Whyte’s head with such power that it knocked him into a different stratosphere.
It left Brixton’s finest on the canvas and made a mockery of the much-talked about fight camp in Portugal Whyte had put himself through.
Whyte had hoped for a ‘Battle of Britain’ with Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury but that looks like a mission impossible now.
But AJ, who suffered his own shock defeat against roly-poly Mexican Andy Rujiz Jr in 2019, had kind words for his beaten old foe afterwards.
He told BBC 5 Live: “I believe Dillian is a great fighter – it’s just a short blip in his career.”
Joshua knows all about Povetkin having had his own troubles against the Russian when he got his nose broken in the first round before coming through to win in the seventh.
Dillian Whyte is left on the canvas by the stunning fifth-round upper cut from Russian Alexaxder PovetkinCredit: ©Mark Robinson Ltd
Whyte’s promoter Eddie Hearn revealed there is a clause to set up a rematch with the Russian – and Whyte stormed an interview with him to demand one in December straight after his loss.
And he was quick to acknowledge that boxing, unlike so many other sports, is so different as one punch can change absolutely everything.
Hearn told Sky Sports: “There is a rematch clause. The first thing Dillian said to me was, ‘get me that rematch, get me that rematch’.
“It was a heavy knockdown so he will have to get his rest.
“But this is the drama of the sport we love and heavyweight boxing – one punch completely changed the fight.”
That means Whyte can avenge this defeat in December potentially.
But for now though it gives the 40-year-old Russian the chance to become a major player in the fight world.
He will no doubt try to take on the likes of Tyson Fury, Joshua and Deontay Wilder over the next two years.
Fight fans were quick to slam Whyte, who faces huge questions over his ability to take a big punch.
Tegsy said: “Whyte got owned in his own backyard,not so cocky now!”
And Tom Rycroft posted: “Whyte knocked into a new dimension…”
Neil Wright wrote: “Knocked him into the bank holiday weekend.”
Renowned boxing coach Dominic Ingle had words of sympathy for Whyte.
He posted: “Sickening for Dillian Whyte tonight, he has come through so much adversity in his career only for this to happen.
“Criminal the way he was treated as mandatory challenger for the World Title all this time.
And boxer Anthony Yarde said: “@DillianWhyte keep your head up bro. Look how much you have achieved and will continue to achieve.”
Titus Crow said: “Lol I just tweeted about a good win against a diminished Povetkin sent..the. Boom! rip the bodysnatcher.”
Hearn had taken to the stage pre-fight to give a karaoke blast of Bill Withers’ classic ‘Ain’t no sunshine.”
It could have been an epitaph on 32-year-old Whyte’s boxing career.
Hearn said afterwards it felt “like a dream” when the KO landed.
But he will now start planning for Whyte’s rematch in December.
Andy Ruiz Jr mocks Dillian Whyte KO vs Povetkin saying he is ‘so happy he got his a** knocked the f*** out’
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
