D.illian Whyte has been waiting for a shot at the WBC world title for years. So why not wait a few more months?
Whyte was scheduled to fight Alexander Povetkin in this WBC heavyweight title bout in May before the coronavirus intervened. Now he has a chance to arrange a potential meeting with Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder with today’s win at Eddie Hearns’ Fight Camp.
When that fight would take place remains unclear, given the state of the world and the complications planned, but WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has said Whyte should fight the winner of Fury against Wilder 3 if he prevails tonight. So there is no lack of incentives for ‘The Bodysnatcher’.
Povetkin is 40 years old and has a significant physical disadvantage – almost two stones lighter than Whyte and a few inches shorter – but should not be underestimated. The only losses in his career were against Wladimir Klitschko and Anthony Joshua.
Commenting on Povetkin, Joshua said: “He’s good, a good fighter who hasn’t lost a lot and hasn’t got used to that feeling.
“He’s still hungry and will play against Dillian because he thinks he can win. There will be a point decision.”
Before Whyte and Povetkin, Katie Taylor meets Delfine Persoon in a rematch for the world title. Persoon took Taylor with him at the first meeting in New York, despite Taylor winning on points. Some experts felt that the Irish fighter was guilty of falling to her opponent’s level. Taylor will seek not to get caught up in another brawl tonight and instead establish herself as a modern day legend and undisputed lightweight champion. Persoon is a 34-year-old police officer from Belgium and she enjoyed silencing those who didn’t give her a chance before the first meeting. It will remain dangerous.
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