WBC and IBF light-heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev believes his fellow Russian Alexander Povetkin faces an even tougher night in his rematch with Dillian Whyte on November 21.
In late August, Povetkin recovered from two knockdowns to score a stunning fifth round knockout of then WBC No.1 contender Whyte to send shockwaves rippling through the heavyweight division.
A rematch was hastily arranged, but the world’s premier 175-pounder feels Whyte will be a stiffer proposition second time around.
“It will be more difficult for Povetkin in a rematch,” Beterbiev told journalist Vasiliy Konov.
”As one of [my] coaches said, if you beat a person, then it is even more difficult to achieve victory the second time around.
“Maybe somewhere inside in the subconscious there will be such a thought, ‘Well, I already beat him, especially by knockout’.
“A lot of boxers make this kind of mistake. And the loser is even better tuned in for the rematch, he is more motivated.”
Main image: Povetkin and Whyte at war. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom.