Ahead of Dillian Whyte’s crunch heavyweight clash with Russian Alexander Povetkin at Matchroom’s Fight Camp in Brentwood tonight, Boxing Social asked some of the sport’s insiders for their opinion on who wins and how.
Enzo Maccarinelli, former WBO cruiserweight champion.
Dillian by late KO. Whyte is too fresh at this stage and a bit quicker to pull that trigger. It wouldn’t surprise me if he has some rocky moments or even gets off the floor, likewise wouldn’t surprised me it it went the other way.
Barry McGuigan, former WBA featherweight champion.
Povetkin looked very worn out against Michael Hunter. Whyte always looks like he’s carrying 25lbs excess weight. At this stage in their careers, It’s a pick ’em fight but Whyte has too much to lose, so for that reason, I’ll side with Whyte on a wide points decision or a late stoppage.
Andy Lee, former WBO middleweight champion and trainer.
I think Whyte will win by late TKO, but I also thinks it’s a very dangerous fight, especially for the first six rounds.
Gary Lockett, former WBU middleweight champion and trainer.
I think Whyte is at the top of his game at the minute and I think he’ll be too fresh and hard hitting. Povetkin is still a force and can’t be underestimated but isn’t what he was when he was champion and I think Whyte can force a mid to late round stoppage.
Jon Pegg, trainer and manager.
Povetkin on points. Very close fight, but I think the loss of Mark Tibbs in camp and the corner, alongside povetkin rolling the dice in the last chance saloon have got the ingredients for an upset.
Liam Williams, middleweight contender.
I think it’ll be Whyte by late stoppage or points. Whyte will break him down at mid to long range for the first half then go to work on him.
Johnny Nelson, former WBO cruiserweight champion.
I’m going Whyte late stoppage. I’m thinking it’ll be a gruelling fight and the fight that Povetkin finally feels his age.
Charlie Edwards, former WBC flyweight champion.
I think Whyte will win. I think it will be a hard-fought fight toe-to-toe with a few potential sticky situations, but Whyte knocking him out at some stage late.
Kal Yafai, former WBA super-flyweight champion.
Dillian is the younger and fresher man coming in with a good run of wins over fighters like [Oscar] Rivas and [Joseph] Parker especially. Povetkin is always dangerous with the left hook, but is not so fresh and 40 years old. Going with Whyte mid rounds.
Kid Galahad, featherweight contender.
My prediction is a good fight with Whyte winning by stoppage in the latter of the middle rounds. Dillian will be patient and dictate the centre of the ring putting in plenty of early bodywork, which will ultimately be telling on the aged Povetkin’s body. When he finds the opening upstairs, he will strike and hurt Povetkin to end the contest.
Josh Taylor, WBA Super and IBF super-lightweight champion.
I think Whyte will pull through that fight and I really hope after this fight he gets his shot at the title. I think the fight will be competitive for a couple of rounds, but ultimately I think Povetkin is miles past his best and on the downward slide so I expect Whyte to win well.
Joe Joyce, heavyweight contender.
I think that it’s going to be an exciting fight. They’re both going to be trading hooks in a barnstormer-like fashion; however, I think Whyte will come out on top.
Kevin Barry, trainer.
I like Whyte in this fight. Portugal looks to have worked well for him. He looks in much better condition than his 271 pounds in his last fight against [Mariusz] Wach.
Both guys have similar knockout percentages but at nearly 41 Povetkin is fighting against Father Time. He was hurt in three of his last four fights. Hurt by [David] Price, down by [Anthony] Joshua and [Michael] Hunter had him on shaky legs. I just don’t think the granite chin of early days is there anymore. Whyte’s a good puncher and at 32 and fit I feel he is getting Povetkin at the right time.
Matthew Macklin, former world title challenger.
I think Dillian wins in points or maybe late stoppage. He’ll need to be at the top of his game because Povetkin is very dangerous, even at 40. Dillian was sluggish in Saudi, he came in too heavy. But I think he’ll be back to his best here and I expect him to win wide on the cards or possibly even get a late stoppage.
Ryan Walsh, British featherweight champion.
I think this fight is about timing. It’s such a risky fight for Whyte given the position he’s in, so I tip my had to Dillian for that. I do fancy Povetkin to cause problems, his technique makes him so dangerous. With Dillian basing himself in Portugal and coming in at a [lower] weight – I’m going to edge towards Whyte. I’m going to go Whyte by knockout. Povetkin has a good left hook but I’m going to say that Dillian’s will get there first. Timing is the big issue; one man is on the way up, one man is on the way down.
The WBC ‘Diamond’ heavyweight title fight between Dillian Whyte and Alexander Povetkin will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Box Office tonight in the UK.