Staff Picks: Whyte-Povetkin

Ahead of Dillian Whyte’s WBC Interim and Diamond heavyweight title bout against Alexander Povetkin, we spoke to ten members of our editorial team for their final fight night prediction.

John A MacDonald: @jamacd2011

This is an unusual fight. I’m struggling to think of any department in which Whyte is superior to Povetkin: footwork, balance, hand speed, defence, chin, ring IQ, power? At best, Whyte perhaps shades a couple of those. Yet, the Brixton man is the significant favourite.

The reason for this appears to be that at 40 years of age, Povetkin is on the slide. However, I don’t believe Povetkin’s deterioration as a fighter is as dramatic as some others do.

Eddie Hearn has mentioned he is concerned that Whyte may attack the Russian in the pre-fight bubble. To me, the claim seems bizarre, yet people believe this is a genuine needle fight. While I don’t buy into the ‘beef’, I think there will plenty of action in the contest.

I have a sneaking suspicion that the delay in this fight taking place will benefit both fighters as they will have used the extra time wisely. With so much at stake, Whyte and Povetkin will produce performances vastly enhanced from their lacklustre showings against Wach and Hunter respectively.

Both men will have to endure testing moments, but they will fail to put their opponent away. I think Whyte will win a razor thin decision, which some people will refer to as a robbery.

Craig Scott: @craigscott209

Dillian Whyte’s career has been confusing, but relatively exciting.

The Brixton-man is largely viewed as some sort of people’s heavyweight champion, despite shaky performances and glaring vulnerabilities. He’s picked himself up and produced some thrilling performances, and we could be in for a treat.

But on Saturday, he’s facing the talented Alexander Povetkin – one of Matchroom’s better pass-the-parcel heavyweights. Povetkin can punch. He’s also fundamentally a better boxer than Whyte, with serious amateur and professional pedigree.

If the Russian turns up in shape and launches meaningful assaults in the fight’s first quarter, he could have significant success. But will it be enough?

I could see Whyte touching the canvas, but prevailing via good old fashioned grit, somewhere between R7-R9.

Phil Rogers: @PhilRogers81

Were Whyte not facing a version of Povetkin that’s well past his peak then the Russian would surely be a considerable favourite.

As it is, Povetkin has looked increasingly unimpressive, most recently against Hunter in a laboured split decision win. Whyte is, of course, fully capable of making the likes of Derek Chisora look world class himself. The controversial departure of Mark Tibbs from The Bodysnatcher’s camp is a huge gamble, with the respected trainer’s tutelage being credited for some solid recent improvements. Whether this separation benefits Whyte remains to be seen.

The Brixton heavyweight has been putting in the work in Portugal for his training camp, so we can subsequently expect Whyte to enter the ring in good shape.

Whyte will be fully aware of his opponent’s technical superiority, and I believe he will gradually feel his way into the fight. Povetkin will have his moments, his left hook being less hyped but just as impressive, but the miles on the clock will take their toll.

Whyte KO in the 8th round.

Shane Dyer: @shane_dyer123

The night has fallen and the headline act of Eddie Hearn’s Fight Camp has arrived.

Dillian Whyte begins his walk of intimidation, howling like a Wolf as the mist created by Hearn’s excessive firework display fades and reveals the moon. But as he walks ever so closer to the ring, the problems become ever clearer.

Firstly, the UK skies won’t see another full moon until early September.

Secondly, the man in the opposing corner, Alexander Povetkin, sent from Russia with love – and a mean right hand which has KO’d 24 opponents before Whyte – is only all too familiar with wolves, growing up in the motherland.

For the fighting itself, Whyte has been on a string of impressive victories since his sole defeat against Joshua, which can only be commended. Now, he comes face-to-face, toe-to-toe with a fighter, I believe to be, that little bit better than him in most departments.

This fight will entertain the neutrals, but will end in heartbreak for Whyte as Povetkin halts him late on in the fight.

Navi Singh:@DarkMan________

Whyte’s decision to part ways with longtime trainer Mark Tibbs came as a shock to many, and is certainly something to take into consideration in the context of the Brixton native’s showdown with wily veteran Alexander Povetkin. As the ostensibly bigger, fresher, and busier man, Whyte is correctly favoured to emerge victorious on the night, but Povetkin’s accuracy and spiteful counter-punching abilities makes this a sufficiently intriguing contest in the eyes of Eddie Hearn to justify a £20 pay-per-view price tag. Expect early proceedings to be tight and tense, as Whyte’s punch volume is nullified by Povetkin’s sneaky return fire. Whyte‘s work has a tendency to get sloppier as the fight progresses, but ultimately he will survive numerous shaky moments to likely force a crude late stoppage.

Matt Bevan: @Matt_Bevan68

I feel Dillian Whyte should get the better of Alexander Povetkin and walk away with a multitude of WBC trinkets. It’s a good fight, regardless of what you think of them and the PPV billing, and I’m edging towards the younger man in Whytedoing enough over 12 gruelling rounds. With the win he can continue reminding us all he is the most avoided man in boxing and keep his countdown clock running until he gets his eventual shot (whilst we try and ignore all the shots he turned down).

Mark Butcher: @KOwriting

The atmosphere is eerie, the night air is cool and unforgiving. A desperate Dillian Whyte is holding Alexander Povetkin in a garden in Brentwood and, hundreds of miles away, two powerful eyes are fixed on a television. President Vladimir Putin cranes forward in his seat as a nervous minion hands him another ice-cool glass of vodka. “This is pay-per-view in UK? We should send the tanks in!” scoffs Putin, as a lackey roars with uncomfortable laughter before sending a voice-note on WhatsApp. Free from a clinch, a Povetkin right hand sends Whyte crashing to the deck in a delayed reaction. Putin stands, Sky Sport commentators scream and the gentle crack of casual fans’ hearts breaking is audible across the UK. Povetkin raises his right glove to the stars as the fallen Whyte is cradled in his corner. “You,” says Putin jabbing a finger at the TV screen, “will never beat Mother Russia.” Povetkin in nine.

Luke G Williams: @Boxianajournal

Whyte is fresher and hungrier than Povetkin. The Russian will present some problems but will drop a decision that’s wider than many observers at ringside have it.

Garry White: @LWOSGarryWhite

Mr. Whyte to batter the Russian via a lead pipe in Eddie’s billiard room…

More seriously, Povetkin, despite his advancing years and wearing the haircut and wardrobe of a late 80s exchange student, was capable of giving a pre-Ruiz Anthony Joshua a couple of tricky moments. Not to mention he dealt comfortably with the under-appreciated Muhammad Ali-like skills of Hughie Fury. The Russian is dangerous, with a solid dig and a still decent engine.

Whyte was somnambulant last time out against Mariusz Wach, and will surely be more impressive this time.

My gut feel is that it we won’t necessarily get the fireworks that the PPV audience has cashed in for. But there should at least be some sparkler sized moments of pulverising drama. I see the Brixton man triumphing at the end of the night via a slender, but sufficiently wide verdict. Povetkin to go back on the road and Whyte to continue his ongoing ‘No Mas’ stand-off with the WBC.

James Oddy:

In theory, Povetkin should come out on top. He’s much better-schooled, can punch and has plenty of experience. However, Whyte, for all his obvious vulnerability, often finds a way. I’m expecting a close, cagey fight which flares up into some brutal exchanges occasionally. Whyte on a disputed points win.

Final results: Whyte 8-2 Povetkin