Dillian Whyte’s hopes of a world-title shot were wrecked as Alexander Povetkin twice rose from the canvas to land a knockout win that will stun boxing.
The Russian had been out-boxed for three rounds and was down twice in the fourth as Whyte mixed poise with power.
But just as it looked as if Whyte would close in on a shot at the WBC world heavyweight title, Povetkin produced a devastating left uppercut in the fifth.
Whyte needed treatment but will get a rematch according to Eddie Hearn.
The London fighter, 32, left without speaking to the media but was picked up by Matchroom Boxing’s Twitter channel asking promoter Hearn if a rematch was possible this year.
“It’s one of those things, it just landed. I was bossing it. It is what it is. A rematch, let’s go,” he added.
“I can’t quite believe it,” said Hearn. “When the punch landed I felt like I was in some dream. The fight was over virtually. Dillian was measuring Povetkin up, then two heavy knockdowns.
WHAT AN UPSET! Alexander Povetkin wipes out Dillian Whyte after being dropped earlier in the fight ???? #WhytePovetkin pic.twitter.com/onAbi6JRoK
— SportingMatrix (@Sporting_Matrix) August 22, 2020
“I and others thought it was over. This is the drama of heavyweight boxing, one punch can change everything.
“He has to do a job in a rematch.”
Povetkin, who has only lost to Wladimir Klitschko and IBF, WBO and WBA world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in a 39-fight and 15-year-long career, simply found “the best punch he has ever thrown” according to BBC Radio 5 Live’s Steve Bunce.
The absence of fans in the garden of Matchroom Boxing’s headquarters allowed the hysterical celebrations of Povetkin’s team to rumble through the Essex night air while Whyte was almost motionless on his back.
The British heavyweight had been almost punch perfect for 12 minutes. Shots to the body drew red marks on 40-year-old Povetkin, while jabs pawed at the Russian’s face looked to be discouraging the dangerous bookmakers’ underdog.
Two hard right hands and a short left hook combined sweetly to floor Povetkin in the fourth and, before the bell, Whyte drove home a left uppercut when backed to the ropes to send his rival down again.
But moments later the tables turned and Povetkin dipped to his left and thrust an uppercut of his own on to Whyte’s chin.
Povetkin had been written off as past it by some while others point to two previous drug bans as evidence he should not be in the sport. The beautifully picked and devastating nature of his finish will only serve to underline the threat he continues to carry.
Since his only defeat to Joshua in 2015 Whyte – who also served a drugs ban in 2012 – has put solid names on his record and seen them off one by one when he could have taken more straightforward assignments.
His refusal to simply sit and wait for his chance endeared him as a risk taker to fans and undoubtedly improved him as an athlete and fighter.
But one punch ultimately made this a risk too far and he must now go to work once again if he is to rediscover hope of a first world-title shot.
The four events staged in Hearn’s childhood back garden offered intrigue when sport faced up to the upheaval of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This was a truly dramatic finish to the series and Whyte will wake up tomorrow facing a challenge few saw coming but one he will undoubtedly take on wholeheartedly.
‘One roll too many’ – analysis
Former world middleweight champion Andy Lee on BBC Radio 5 Live: I am in shock. That is a sensational upset. That’s heavyweight boxing where one punch can change it all.
Whyte will be kicking himself, that’s a devastating knockout. He was so close to a world title for so long. It’s a tragedy he was a contender for 1,000 days but he has rolled the dice just one too many times.
BBC Radio 5 Live boxing analyst Steve Bunce: That was just a perfect shot, the best punch Povetkin has ever thrown. That is boxing. When people say “one punch can change a fight” they are not joking. Whyte can come again, no sweat.
