Former interim WBC world champion Dillian Whyte, known as the Villain and the Body Snatcher, will fight American Jermaine Franklin on November 26 in London. The Briton has not won in the ring since March 2021, when he took the title from Alexander Povetkin. In fact, having ended the career of the Russian Knight, he wanted to fight him again.

The verdict on the third fight was made by the promoter.

“Like I’m 25”

Povetkin’s victory over White in August 2020 was somewhat of a sensation. Alexander at that time was already written off by many and did not believe that the Russian would be able to claim the championship belt. However, our boxer surprised by being knocked down twice, he managed to knock out his opponent. Having become the interim WBC world champion, Russian Vityaz faced a difficult choice. End your career on a winning note or give revenge, while maintaining the hope of eventually reaching the status of a full-fledged world champion.

Photo: © Richard Heathcote / Staff / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

Povetkin chose the second path. True, he himself did not declare champion ambitions, noting that he was tuned in to a specific upcoming fight. However, at a press conference, he positively reacted to the idea of ​​a possible duel with Wilder, and Joshua did not disown the hypothetical confrontation with the winner of the Fury pair. The very fact that Alexander agreed to enter the ring after a severely endured coronavirus hinted that he did not want to finish.

Now I feel good, I’m in good shape. I don’t feel the age at all. It’s like I’m 25,” Alexander said before the fight.

Other experts believed that the Russian would be able to defeat White in the second fight, but the bookmakers did not agree with this. It was possible to bet on the victory of the British with a coefficient of 1.41, on the success of Povetkin – 2.83. It was also expected that all scheduled rounds of the fight would not last.

“Breathe, Sasha”

The revenge of White and Povetkin took place in a very exotic place on our planet – on the Gibraltar Peninsula. On this edge of Europe, they were allowed to hold a duel with spectators whom the athletes had time to miss. There were not as many fans as could have gathered at Alexander’s last fight in Russia. But who then knew that this would be his last fight?

The ring announcer introduced the opponents, and he decided to announce our boxer in broken Russian. The audience greeted Alexander (Sasha) Povetkin, after which the revenge started. White hurried to justify the status of the favorite, pushing the Russian Knight to the ropes. The blows of the Briton seemed to be mostly casual, but the interim world champion did not feel very comfortable from their number.

Alexander’s condition raised questions – even before the fight, many were not sure that the consequences of the coronavirus would not play a serious role here. When “breathe, Sasha” was heard from the corner of the Russian boxer, fears about the boxer’s form only intensified.

Attempts by the Russian Knight to become more active in the attack in the first round were stopped by the opponent’s jabs. After the break, something began to work out for Povetkin. He landed some good punches, but there was no hint that the Russian was capable of knocking out. The Briton acted much faster than in the first fight, but Alexander’s progress was difficult to notice.

By the third round, hopes for a positive outcome of the battle for Povetkin disappeared almost completely. White added in speed, began to hit and hit more often. The very fact that the Russian continued to stay on his feet was a great success for him.

“Povetkin is a tough guy”

However, the battle in this manner could not continue for a long time. Povetkin could only count on a happy occasion, which the opponent refused to provide him. Alexander did not expect gifts and rushed into battle, tempting fate. The risk bet did not play, having opened, the Russian champion missed a deuce and fell on the ropes.

Photo: © Nick Potts – PA Images / Contributor / PA Images / Gettyimages.ru

The Russian Knight was not used to giving up, and therefore, even in such a deplorable situation for himself, he continued the duel. White rushed to finish off the enemy – the fatal hook knocked Povetkin down again. Alexander wanted to continue, but the referee and the corner of the Russian boxer himself were against it.

Alexander gave the title of interim champion to the Briton, and in return received a stool and some water from his opponent. After the rematch, Dillian suddenly turned from a villain into a kind person. And he did not skimp on compliments addressed to the Russian.

Povetkin is a tough guy, so I took my time and was careful. If he wants a rematch, he’s ready to fight him again. He only lost to Klitschko, Joshua and me. He is still strong,” White said after the fight.

Povetkin’s promoter Andrei Ryabinsky was not so optimistic and suggested that this fight was the last for Alexander. Since then, the Russian Knight really did not hold professional fights, but White managed to feel the severity of Tyson Fury’s blows. He didn’t cope with the Gypsy King, will he cope with the Assassin?

Interview

Can White beat Franklin?

Yes. Such a rival to him in the teeth.

No. He can’t handle the American.