How to watch Dillian Whyte vs Alexander Povetkin heavyweight title fight
'The Body Snatcher' set for scrap with 'Sasha'
Brixton's Dillian Whyte (27-1, 18KOs) defends his interim WBC World heavyweight title to experienced Russian Alexander Povetkin (35-2-1, 24KOs).
BBN have provided all the details you need to know about the upcoming Cold War between Britain and Russia:
Date
The bout was due to take place on the American Independence Day on July 4, 2020, but has since been rescheduled to Saturday, August 22.
Venue
It takes place at the Matchroom HQ in Essex.
Rounds scheduled
12 three-minute championship rounds at heavyweight.
Titles
Whyte's WBC World interim heavyweight belt is on the line, as is his WBC No.1 ranking. Just days before the battle, the WBC announced their special Diamond belt will be awarded to the winner.
Ringwalks
First ringwalk will be at 7:15pm. UK fight fans can expect headliners Whyte and Povetkin to make their ringwalks any time around 10pm (GMT) on Saturday night, but boxing events are often subject to delays.
TV Coverage
Coverage for Whyte-Povetkin starts live on Sky Sports and Sky Sports Box Office from 7pm, so Sky Sports subscribers will be able to catch the start of the show and a few rounds of Jack Cullen vs Zak Chelli, until 7:30pm when it goes live and exclusive on Sky Sports Box Office only, and on DAZN in the US.
Live Stream
You can watch online via the Sky Sports website here: https://www.skysports.com/watch
There is one other way that you can watch if you are not a Sky TV customer, or if you are just out and about on Saturday night by simply finding a suitable pub that is showing the event by visiting pubfinder.sky.com
Price
Sky Sports Box Office price is £19.95 and €24.95 for Republic of Ireland customers.
Undercard Highlights
Worthy of a headlining slot, Irish superstar Katie Taylor (15-0, 6KOs) rematches with former long-reigning WBC titlist Delfine Persoon (44-2, 18KOs) in an undisputed lightweight title fight over 10 two-minute rounds. The first time they met, it was an enthralling contest between two equally worthy foes that ended in a war, which Taylor edged on a mixed decision, leaving Persoon in tears as she walked out of the arena. The 35-year-old Belgian believes she was robbed of the win and will have revenge on her mind, but Taylor will be desperate to prove she was the rightful winner.
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Everything you ever need to know about Whyte vs Povetkin HERE
Press Conference Quotes
Dillian Whyte:"He's been through the mill, seen every style. I haven't, I'm still learning. I'm learning on the job, in the deep end swimming. For me to fight these kind of guys is a massive learning opportunity for me. I believe I beat them all anyway. I just got to be in shape. Leave the cakes alone, I'm good!"
Alexander Povetkin:"I am very happy to be back in the UK because people are very good and very knowledgable with regards to boxing and I am looking forward to my fight with Dillian. Dillian is a very strong opponent. I do understand that it is a very important fight for Dillian, but it is no less important fight for me and I will do my best, apply all my effort to make this fight interesting."
Background
Since his sole career defeat to British rival Anthony Joshua back in December 2015, Whyte is now riding on a remarkable 11-fight win streak and comes into his 29th contest off the back of a 10-round unanimous decision over 'The Viking' Mariusz Wach in December last year, on the undercard of Joshua-Ruiz 2.
Despite his solitary loss to Joshua in one of the biggest British heavyweight title battles in history, Dillian became the first opponent to trouble the formidible force that had beaten all 14 of his foes before the third round had finished up to that point. In the second round, while under duress, he managed to land one of his famous left hooks flush on the chin of AJ, who was rocked for the first time as a pro. Whyte famously floored and beat AJ in the amateurs, which was the cause of the bad blood in the build-up to their British battle.
Trained by Mark Tibbs, the pair have been unbeaten for over four years now. Tibbs waved his magic wand over Whyte, who showed major improvements fight upon fight. He became slimmer, fitter, stronger, better than ever, and his list of scalps are highly impressive. He has collected the WBC International title, the British belt on his second attempt, then came the WBC Silver and WBO International titles, culminating in the WBC interim world title, which is the bauble he defends for the first time against the dangerous Russian. Whyte's scalps includes two former world champions, an Olympian, an unbeaten heavyweight – all with a combined record of 260-37-3.
Now teamed up with Xavier Miller, it remains to be seen if this change of trainer will be for better or for worse…
Both boxers' glaringly obvious shared stat is that they each lost to Joshua in the seventh round.
The Athens 2004 Olympic gold medallist Povetkin responded to that second career defeat with a comprehensive unanimous points win over Hughie Fury (23-2, 13KOs) on away soil and then engaged in an incredible battle with Michael Hunter (18-1, 12KOs) on the undercard of Ruiz vs Joshua 2 in Saudi Arabia, which ended in a draw.
The 'Russian Vityaz' enjoyed a glittering amateur career and has a wealth of top tier experience in both the amateur scene and pro ranks. His pedigree is eveident in his fighting style, while Whyte admits to still learning on the job. He won gold at the European Games (2002 and 2004) and World Championships (2003) as well as the pinnacle – the coveted Olympic gold. He also reached the pinnacle of the paid ranks, too.
As a pro, the Chekhov native went unbeaten in his first 26 bouts until he was convincingly defeated by the widest of margins – 104-119 – by Wladimir Klitschko, touching down four times in the process. But, prior to that, he held the WBA world heavyweight title for over two years and had four successful defences of the belt.
Seven years on, at the age of 40, 'Sasha' demonstrated he is still a force at world level last December, when he drew with Michael Hunter after a thrilling shootout that proved he can still mix it at the top echelons. The clash was also on the undercard of Joshua-Ruiz in Diriyah, so they have had equal time to prepare.
BBN's Jordan Bright previews the Anglo-Russian war HERE
Key Stats
Whyte, 31, is nine years Povetkin's junior and has a two-inch height and three-inch reach advantage. The Brit is the bigger, heavier man and has come in at anything between 245-271lbs during his recent fights, which is a big advantage to smaller man Povetkin's 222-230lbs range.
Povetkin has the vaster experience as a former world ruler, with 255 rounds boxed as a professional, that's 100 more than the 28-fight veteran Whyte.
Whyte has a record of 2-1 against current or former world champions, whereas 'Sasha' has a greater record of 6-2, including 4KOs. The Russian has defeated two unbeaten opponents – Eddie Chambers (30-0) and Andrzej Wawrzyk (27-0), and Whyte ruined three perfect records himself – Dave Allen (9-0-1); Lucas Browne (25-0); Oscar Rivas (26-0).
Predictions
Ryan Walsh, British featherweight champion: "Dillian Whyte via mid to late KO. Povetkin will cause problems early and that amateur pedigree will be on show. I expect some sticky points in the early going, but the younger fresher man will win. Boxing, like a lot of sports, is all about timing. Dillian is the man on the up. Both are great left hookers, so that’s the punch I predict will end the fight."
Check out all the predictions for Whyte vs Povetkin HERE
Betting Odds Supplied by 888Sport
1/4 Dillian Whyte
11/4 Alexander Povetkin
28/1 Draw
Running Order
Main Event:
Dillian Whyte vs Alexander Povetkin
12×3 interim WBC World Heavyweight title
Fight 4:
Katie Taylor vs Delfine Persoon
10×2 WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO World Female lightweight titles
Fight 3:
Luther Clay vs Chris Kongo
10×3 WBO Global welterweight title
Fight 2:
Alen Babic vs Shawndell Terell Winters
6×3 Heavyweight contest
Fight 1:
Jack Cullen vs Zak Chelli
10×3 Super-middleweight contest
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