Whyte is taking on Povetkin due to Ruiz rejecting

Dillian Whyte had his initial press conference on Wednesday as he’ll be taking on fellow Heavyweight contender, Alexander Povetkin, and while that matchup is intriguing, it’s because others turned it down.

Whyte speaking after the presser to iFL TV explained that there was an offer out to former Unified Heavyweight Champ, Andy Ruiz, but he declined.

“Andy Ruiz didn’t want it,” Whyte told IFL TV.

“So Povetkin stepped up to the plate, as we knew he would because he’s a warrior. We sent [Ruiz and his team] two offers, they didn’t accept the offers so that’s his problem. He didn’t want to take two dangerous fights back-to-back. He wanted a warm-up fight. I think he’s going to fight Chris Arreola, who is like a thousand years old.”

'ANDY RUIZ DIDN'T WANT IT – POVETKIN STEPPED UP!' – DILLIAN WHYTE ON MAY 2, AJ-PULEV & WILDER https://t.co/UqDRCMTsWa

— iFL TV™ (@IFLTV) March 4, 2020

It was reported by Mike Coppinger of The Athletic earlier in the week that Ruiz is slated for a return fight between either unbeaten Adam Kownacki, if he was victorious this Saturday or the veteran Arreola, as Whyte mentioned. I had the same quote that Whyte had to iFL about the age of Arreola, who is celebrating his 39th birthday today about being a possible fight opponent.

Arreola after the Kownacki loss -"I gave my all. I gave everything I had in that fight."

Is he seriously in the running at 39? #boxing https://t.co/XMv68tjT8V

— Marquis Johns (@weaksauceradio) March 3, 2020

In all likelihood, Whyte and Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn didn’t think Ruiz would take the offer, which he reportedly was offered back in January. Instead, Whyte will face the former IBF champ Povetkin and has decided to place his focus on that matchup coming up May 2 in Manchester.

Meanwhile, we’ll wait and see who Ruiz takes on next, and when it is announced?

Whyte speaking at the press conference reflected on Povetkin’s previous wins of his long career.

“I remember watching him fight Cedric Boswell when I had about three, or one fight,” Whyte said at the press conference Wednesday. “I remember him smashing Cedric Boswell to bits and Hasim Rahman – this guy is serious, and now it’s my time to bring some maximum violence to him. Funny world of boxing, eh.

“He’s been through the mill, seen every style. I haven’t, I’m still learning. I’m learning on the job, in the deep end swimming,” Whyte said at the press conference talking about Povetkin. “For me to fight these kinds of guys is a massive learning opportunity for me. I believe I beat them all anyway. I just got to be in shape. Leave the cakes alone, I’m good.”

This bout has been suggested with the headline of maximum violence, and between these two Top 10 heavyweights should provide just that when they meet in the ring.