Former WBA champion Alexander Povetkin is unsure if rival Dillian Whyte will be overly affected by his split with long-time trainer Mark Tibbs in their heavyweight collision next month.
Povetkin faces WBC No.1 contender Whyte live on Sky Sports Box Office on August 22, knowing victory could see the Russian seize a surprise world title opportunity with the Londoner mandated to face champion Tyson Fury in early 2021.
Whyte (27-1, 18 KOs) surprisingly split with trainer Tibbs last week in an amicable parting of ways and it remains to be seen how that change in personnel will affect his preparations for the always dangerous Povetkin.
“Anything can happen in the camp,” Povetkin (35-2-1, 24 KOs) told Sky Sports. “[It is] proof boxers should be ready for everything.
“Only the fight will demonstrate if the trainer has had an effect on his camp and preparation.
“Maybe there is [more] pressure on him. Every fight has pressure. My preparation is responsible. I put in maximum effort not to lose the possibilities for the future.”
WBC champion Fury must face ‘interim’ title-holder Whyte immediately after a contracted trilogy fight with Deontay Wilder, currently projected for December 19. A Povetkin victory next month would scupper those plans.