British heavyweight Dillian Whyte got himself straight back into contention for a world title shot after avenging his defeat to Alexander Povetkin in spectacular fashion on Saturday.
In front of 500 fans in Gibraltar, 32-year-old Whyte knocked out his Russian opponent in the fourth round. It was the perfect response from Whyte, who saw his long-awaited world title hopes literally crash to the canvas last August when Povetkin delivered a shock fifth-round knockout in their first encounter.
But there was to be no denying Whyte in the rematch as he dominated Povetkin from start to brutal finish, using his jab to good effect and keeping his power shots compact, although the swinging overhand right did get deployed at times.
The combination that ended the fight was pure class. A snappy one-two rocked Povetkin back onto the ropes and as the Russian wobbled back to his feet, Whyte delivered another jab followed by a right hook. Povetkin's balance and composure had completely vanished and Whyte wiped out his opponent with his trademark left hook with 30 seconds left in the fourth round.
"I am just sad I didn't get it finished in the first round. He is a tough guy but I felt I could have finished it early," Whyte told Sky Sports. "I believe I can beat anyone. I want the world title."
Such a polished and clinical performance should rightly earn Whyte his world title shot, but the British fighter knows better than anyone that is easier said than done.
Whyte was the WBC's No 1-ranked heavyweight for more than 1,000 days and the mandatory world title challenger for over a year and still did not get his title fight. The defeat to Povetkin, and subsequent delays for staging the rematch, further set back his ambitions.
Whyte will likely need to practice a bit more patience as boxing's various governing bodies, and respective promotional companies, attempt to finalise the undisputed unification bout between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
According to Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn, a deal has been agreed and signed by both parties for two fights, although dates and venues have yet to be decided, and Hearn admitted that Whyte will have to bide his time.
"He kind of has to take it on the chin that his world title shot is not coming until 2022," Hearn told iFL TV. "I would like him to go for Deontay Wilder. I think that is a fantastic fight. I would like Dillian to fight in the summer in America and then in the winter against Wilder."
Wilder was the long-time WBC champion who consistently denied Whyte his shot at the title, before the American was dethroned by Fury in a seventh-round stoppage in February 2020.
After chasing a world title fight for so long and navigating a number of challenging opponents to keep himself in contention, Whyte appeared to accept the reality of the current situation.
"Look, Eddie [Hearn] likes to put me in these tough fights, so this time I want him to give me an easy fight and make some easy money without taking so much risk. But I still want that world title."
