Alexander Povetkin to rematch Whyte in Russia?

Less than a week after his thunderous one punch knockout of Dillian Whyte in England Saturday night, Russian Alexander Povetkin is ready to schedule a rematch with the Brit. However, Povetkin’s camp would love for that second fight to take place in his home country.

Povetkin and his manager Andrey Ryabinskiy spoke with a small group of reporters and photographers in Moscow on Wednesday afternoon.

Where would you prefer to have the rematch, here in Russia or in the UK?

Povetkin: ‘If I’m honest I don’t care where it is, Russia is always with me, wherever I fight’ #Povetkin @EddieHearn @DillianWhyte pic.twitter.com/vDv4zJH9Ey

— Danny Armstrong (@DannyWArmstrong) August 26, 2020

First the Russian former WBA World Heavyweight Champion interestingly said that he hasn’t seen Saturday’s fight, much less, his clinching left uppercut that laid Whyte out in the fifth round of their bout. And, Povetkin also went on to say that he dismisses any talk of it being a “lucky” punch,

“I haven’t watched the fight back, haven’t seen it. “We worked on that shot in training. People can think what they want whether it was a lucky punch or not. There’s that many experts in boxing that I already don’t know what to say about it all!” 

Povetkin got off the canvas twice in the fourth round to level Whyte with a single punch, less than :30 into round five. The referee didn’t bother to count.

As for the rematch clause in the contract for the two, the WBC made clear earlier in the week that Povetkin does not have to honor it to still be given status and potentially, a fight down the road with their champion. This as the WBC saw no controversy with the outcome or any other substantial reason that there must a rematch.

However, Povetkin and his team know it’s a very lucrative opportunity to step back in the ring and make even more money this go around to fight Whyte.

Ryabinskiy added that it would be a huge deal for the bout to be held in Russia,

“I don’t see such a big difference boxing here or in the UK. I would want the fight to be here in Russia because there hasn’t been an event of such magnitude here for a long time.”

Next month, Russian-born Artur Beterbiev is set to defend his Unified Light Heavyweight title in that country for the first time in his career. However, because of the Heavyweight status and Povetkin’s prominence after the KO, a rematch with Whyte would probably be even bigger than that.

Ryabinskiy and Povetkin though did concede that they would fight back in England or anywhere else that Eddie Hearn and Matchroom would like to hold it.

Povetkin, who turns 41 next week, obviously needs to “strike now,” as his name is back at the forefront of Heavyweight boxing. This is especially with Unified Champion Anthony Joshua, who knocked Povetkin out 2 years ago, is currently delayed in making his next title defense with Kubrat Pulev.

Also WBC champ, Tyson Fury and former champ, Deontay Wilder, are due to fight for a third time probably in December.

It’s entirely possible that the Povetkin-Whyte rematch could happen before that fight in the month of November.

Now, as for where the the bout will be? That have to be sorted out, as well.