via Getty
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 29: Undercard, Alexander Povetkin speaks to the media during the Vasiliy Lomachenko and Luke Campbell press conference in the lead up to the WBC, WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight World Title Fight at the Canary Riverside Plaza Hotel on August 29, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)
via Getty
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 29: Undercard, Alexander Povetkin speaks to the media during the Vasiliy Lomachenko and Luke Campbell press conference in the lead up to the WBC, WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight World Title Fight at the Canary Riverside Plaza Hotel on August 29, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)
Alexander Povetkin has fired back at Dillian Whyte for his controversial comments. The Russian heavyweight gave his brutally honest opinion on the Englishman’s accusation of him faking COVID-19 to avoid fighting the rematch earlier.
Whyte will face Povetkin in a high-anticipated rematch on Saturday. The two will headline a stacked card, and it promises to be a fantastic fight. However, the trash-talk surrounding the fight got personal, and Povetkin has had his say.
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The WBC interim champion spoke to the press ahead of the fight at a virtual press conference. He addressed Whyte’s comments by saying, “In response to Dillian Whyte, he can think and tell whatever he wants. But we have papers, we have documents with different analysis, you know, and the result. Actually, we sent it to Matchroom so, you know, this is not a case for discussion.” [Via Translator]
This comes because, in an interview, the Englishman claimed Povetkin could have faked getting COVID-19 to delay the bout. In the same interview, Whyte pointed out that Povetkin disagreed on the first date, suggesting he wanted more time to prepare.
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Dillian Whyte vs. Alexander Povetkin: Third time lucky
With his comments, Povetkin clearly shut down any claims of foul play. Moreover, he confirmed they provided Whyte’s team with proof, and thus, there should be no more talk surrounding it. Regardless, the happening of the fight will delight fans throughout the world.
The two fought on August 22, 2020, and they set an immediate rematch for November 21. However, Povetkin tested positive, and they had to push the fight forward. As a result, they targeted January as the next potential date.
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However, Povetkin claimed he needed more time to recover, and all boxing activities in the UK shut down. Therefore, they had to push the fight forward a second time. After all this, fans will finally get to witness the rematch, provided there are no more positive tests in the next two days.
Although, with comments like this, the fight may have gotten more personal, and it could reflect in the Russian’s approach.
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Who do you think will come out on top when Dillian Whyte takes on Alexander Povetkin?
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