| UK TIMINGS 16:55 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS FACEBOOK 10 x 3 mins Super-Featherweight contest YOUSSEF KHOUMARI 9st 4lbs 0oz v KANE BAKER 9st 2lbs 8oz (Wembley, England) (Birmingham, England) followed by 18:00 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS BOX OFFICE & DAZN10 x 3 mins vacant IBO International Heavyweight Title ERIK PFEIFER 17st 8lbs 2oz v NICK WEBB 18st 10lbs 0oz (Germany) (Surrey, England) followed by 10 x 3 mins WBO Global Welterweight Title CHRIS KONGO 10st 6lbs 12oz v MICHAEL MCKINSON 10st 6lbs 2oz (Bermondsey, England) (Portsmouth, England) followed by4 x 3 mins International Lightweight contest CAMPBELL HATTON 9st 10lbs 13oz v JESUS RUIZ 9st 10lbs 6oz (Manchester, England) (Spain) followed by12 x 3 mins vacant British Super-Welterweight Title TED CHEESEMAN 10st 13lbs 10oz v JAMES METCALF 10st 13lbs 13oz (Bermondsey, England) (Liverpool, England) followed by10 x 3 mins International Heavyweight contest FABIO WARDLEY 16st 8lbs 6oz v ERIC MOLINA 17st 13lbs 5oz (Ipswich, England) (USA) followed by12 x 3 mins Interim WBC Heavyweight World Title ALEXANDER POVETKIN 16st 4lbs 4oz v DILLIAN WHYTE 17st 9lbs 3oz (Russia) (Brixton, England) |
Tag: Alexander Povetkin
POVETKIN VS. WHYTE II PLUS UNDERCARD PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
| Eddie Hearn: “Good afternoon. Wow. How lucky are we to be here. Absolutely stunning scenery and stunning weather. We’re very grateful to everybody in Gibraltar. Three or four weeks ago I wondered if this could be done. They say it always seems impossible until it is done. Just a couple of days to go before a historic moment here in Gibraltar, the rematch for the WBC Interim Heavyweight World Title between Alexander Povetkin and Dillian Whyte, live and exclusive on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN around the world. We cannot wait to give you a night that you will not forget. It has been a tremendous experience so far and we’re looking forward to the next couple of days before the main event on Saturday night.” Alexander Povetkin – Russia – 36-2-1, 25 KOs – fighting Dillian Whyte for the Interim WBC Heavyweight World Title: “I’m very happy to be here, I’m relaxed, confident and the only thing on my mind right now is to go out on Saturday and show some good boxing. “I’ve almost forgotten about the last fight because this is finished. I think that Dillian will be better in the second fight then the first. At the same time, I’ll try to be more careful, pay attention more to my defence. “I don’t have this mindset that I’ll knock him out. It could go the distance; I’m not focusing on the knockout and I’m going to follow my plan. Max Mikhaylov, World of Boxing: “It’s a pleasure to be here, thank you to Matchroom it’s a pleasure to work with you. We never avoid anything, the same moment it was proposed we said yes. Alexander is not a boxing to avoid anyone. “This is maybe one of the keys to success of Povetkin and the team, we’re relaxed. There’s no rush anywhere, we’re doing everything we’re comfortable with.” Dillian Whyte – Brixton, England – 27-2, 18 KOs – fighting Alexander Povetkin for the Interim WBC Heavyweight World Title:“The first fight was a good fight, we both fought well, I knocked him down a couple of times and he came back to win – he landed a good punch. I’m glad that he took the rematch, I’m glad we’re here again. We’re about to get it on again in two days, I want to say a massive thanks to the Gibraltan people and team who have made this happen. “This is the most important fight of my career. Like I said this is boxing, I’ve been through ups and downs my whole life so I’m using to bouncing back, proving people wrong, showing people what I can when they’ve written me off. “I’m good. People talking about the defeat, it’s nothing. I’m doing something, changing my life and I’m constantly improving. Povetkin’s a good fighter, top amateur, gold medallist, but I’m learning, improving and getting better every day. Saturday I’m going to leave it all on the line once again. “The main thing is the win; I’m a competitor and I hate losing so I want to make it 1-1. I’ll get the win whatever, you’ve seen me adapt in different fight – getting off the floor and winning, out jabbed fighters that faster than me. My coaching team has worked hard on different plans and working different areas.” Xavier Miller, trainer of Dillian Whyte: “The first fight, that chapter has ended now, it’s done. We’re just looking forward to Saturday. We’ve worked hard, all credit to Dillian he got straight back to work after. It’s straight business on Saturday. “The tone of the fight, the way the fight was it was only going one way. But this is Heavyweight boxing, we’d made no excuses but gotten straight back into camp. All we want to focus on now is Saturday, last fight is done. We have to win on Saturday and that’s what we’re going to do.” Fabio Wardley – Ipswich, England – 10-0, 9 KOs – fighting Eric Molina in a ten-round Heavyweight contest: “I’ve come from the same breed, cut from the same cloth as Dillian. There are no easy fights, we take all opponents when they come and big chances and opportunities when they’re in front of us. This is one of those, not just for the fight but for the occasion as well. To be a part of an event like this is great, I’m looking forward to Saturday, putting on a fantastic performance and really showcasing some of my skills. “The team and I are looking to do it all, we’re looking to do the big fights when they’re there in front of us and then come back around for some big level domestic dust ups when they’re there as well. We’re talking all the opportunities that are in front of us and relishing the moment. I’m fortunate to be part of events like this, I’m thankful and looking forward to a big fight on Saturday.” Eric Molina – USA – 27-6, 19 KOs – fighting Fabio Wardley in a ten-round Heavyweight contest: “Fabio’s young, a rising star in England. When I first got the call to be honest, I’d never heard of the guy. While looking into him it reminds me a lot of myself, coming in with one amateur fight and I was the same age as him when I got started. I’m hoping to come in Saturday and give him everything he’s got to learn. “When Eddie Hearn calls with an opportunity I don’t give no excuses. Training camp was difficult, it was filled with a lot of adversity. It’s all mental, my team says it’s all mental, so we’ll be good to go Saturday. “The only thing I’ve got going for myself in this fight is my experience. Coming into these fights as I can get older, they don’t get easier. There’s a new generation of Heavyweights coming up, Fabio is in the mix, this is a type of fight I need to see where I’m at. I need to see if I can mix it with these young lions, I’m looking forward to the test on Saturday.” Ted Cheeseman – Bermondsey, England – 16-2-1, 9 KOs – fighting James Metcalf for the vacant British Super-Welterweight Title: “It’s lovely to be part of a big event but it’s just business when you get there. It’s natural, I’ve done this time and time again but it’s just about getting into fight mode and doing the business Saturday night. “I can box, and I can fight, after the first few rounds, you’ll see how the fight’s panning out and I’ll know then what I’ve got to do win the fight. Whether it’s come forward and march JJ down or box on the back foot, I know I’m capable of both. I’ve got plan A, B and C ready, but we’ll see what happens Saturday night. “If the bookies were right every time, I’d be a millionaire. No disrespect to JJ, but this is his first time on a big event. He will be loving it but there will be a lot of nervous energy with it. I’ve done this time and time again, I’ve got the York Hall to O2 fights, for me this is natural – he’s never really done a big occasion and big opposition fight. “For me I’ve had hard fights one after another. As much as people say it takes it out of you, I’ve never been smashed apart from when I fought Garcia, but my head wasn’t there. Since then, I’ve been improving loads, I’m still young and still feeling fresh and I feel after I got my win against Sam Eggington, I’m going to be ten times the fighter I was then coming from a win. “I believe JJ is going into unknown territory and for me I know I can dig deep. We’re going to see if he will sink or swim on Saturday night. James Metcalf – Liverpool, England – 21-0, 13 KOs – fighting Ted Cheeseman for the vacant British Super-Welterweight Title: “I can box, and I can fight, I’m ready to do both. “It’s a must win for me. I feel like I’ve been owed this chance for a while and now it’s come I’m going to take this with both hands. “I’ve grew up watching my dad box, being proud of him, now it’s my turn to return the favour. “I’m soaking up the experience, enjoying it. I’ve been on undercards with Tyson Fury and Josh Warrington, this is a lot better but I’m alright with it all.” Campbell Hatton – Manchester, England – making his professional debut in a four-round Lightweight contest with Jesus Ruiz: “I’m really excited, the nerves are slowly starting to come in. People have been saying has all the media been getting a bit much, but it hasn’t. It’s doing me good because it’s a bit of a distraction from Saturday night to keep the nerves away. “Just really excited, ready to go and been flying in the gym. I did my last punching session this morning, felt really sharp so I can’t wait to show everyone what I can do. “The main bit of advice I’ve had from everybody is to stay calm. The number of eyes on me there will be nerves and I’ll be eager to please people. The main thing for me is to do myself justice. “I want people to see the Campbell Hatton that’s in the gym, sparring, because when people see that it’s what impresses people. I do set a high pace, but I need to be calm and calculated about it. “You always get people who have something to say, for me I just to go in there and do myself justice. If I’m the best Campbell Hatton I can be, I’ll be happy with that and it’ll be enough to impress the people who are behind me. “With time I’ll be able to show people what I can do, staying calm is my main goal for this fight and doing myself justice. Ricky Hatton, Dad and Manager of Campbell: “I’m very proud and nervous. He’s had a fantastic build up, it adds a little bit of pressure but if I didn’t think he built to cope with the pressure I wouldn’t have allowed it to happen. He’s seen what I’ve done over the years, his brother, that’s what he wants. “I did it, so he didn’t have to. He’s chosen to want to do it and I think he deserves a pat on the back for that. It’s one of the hardest games of all, I think he deserves credit for that alone and I’m very proud of everything and the attention he’s got this week. “I’ve been saying to him [Campbell] all week do you want to get to where the top of the bill is, Dillian Whyte and Alexander Povetkin, well let’s get used to it now. This is what it’s going to be like when you get there. This will stand him in good stead. “This is his early days, it’s his professional debut, he wants to get off to a good start and impress. You’re going to get people saying it’s because of his Dad, he’s got to shut that out from his mind, do his own job and if he keeps relaxed and composed everybody will like what they see on Saturday. “I want him to do himself justice, he’s worked so hard and come on so quickly in a short space of time. He’s only had 28 amateur fights and it’s his pro debut on such a big stage. I hope he does himself proud on Saturday, which he will do with all the hard work and adaptions he’s made to his game.” Chris Kongo – Bermondsey, England – 12-0, 7 KOs – defending his WBO Global Welterweight Title against Michael McKinson: “When I came into the sport, this is the fight I want. I don’t want to fight journeyman or people I know I can knockout in a round. I want competitive fights. Before this I was calling Michael out for a long time, I’m just happy to be here and happy the fight is on. “People avoid his style, and a lot of people don’t like to fight southpaws. I don’t mind, I always find a way to win regardless. He’s got a good record and he’s a good fighter, I want to beat the best and I’ve got the beat these guys. “I’m just going to leave everything that I’m going to do and leave it until Saturday. Whatever he brings I’ll always be able to adapt, I’m ready for it. “Confident, 100%, Chris Kongo knockout is coming this Saturday.” Michael McKinson – Portsmouth, England – 19-0, 2 KOs – challenging Chris Kongo for the WBO Global Welterweight Title: “I believe I’m the best welterweight in the UK, to prove that I’ve got to beat Chris Kongo on Saturday. “This is to chase our dreams. There’s no one in the UK that has a style like mine, I’m a problem for absolutely everyone. I’m a smart fighter, whatever he wants to bring I can adapt – I’m very clever. It should be an exciting fight. “I’m taking it all in, everything’s been amazing. Now I’ve got my opportunity, I need to win to stay on this. I’m excited, it’s been an amazing week.” Erik Pfeifer – Germany – 7-0, 5 KOs – fighting Nick Webb for the IBO International Heavyweight Title: “Training has been very good, I’m in great shape and I will show everyone the best of me Saturday night. “Dillian is a very strong guy it was a very hard sparring session. I left feeling perfect and I’m here ready to fight. “I think this is my chance, I will use it and show the world who I am and how well I can box.” Nick Webb – Surrey, England – 16-2, 12 KOs – fighting Erik Pfeifer for the IBO International Heavyweight Title: “It’s a great stage, thanks to Matchroom to getting me on there and I look forward to fighting Erik there on Saturday. “He’s [Erik] a great challenge, a great name who was a really good amateur. This is a great place to showcase my skills and I can’t wait. “This is a must win, there’s no other option – I’m winning and that’s that.” Youssef Khoumari – Wembley, England – 11-0-1, 4 KOs – fighting Kane Baker in a ten-round Super-Featherweight contest: “I’m ready to go, I’d like to thank Dillian Whyte and Eddie Hearn for the opportunity. I’ve had a good, long camp, everything’s gone perfect and I’m looking forward to a smoky Saturday. “A lot of guys turn pro looking to be a part of events like this. I’m so privileged to be a part of an event his big and I’m going to grab it with both hands-on Saturday night. “Dillian likes to say maximum violence all the time so on Saturday they can expect maximum violence from me. “It’s going to be a very fan friendly fight, both of our styles match. He likes to throw a lot of punches, I like to throw a lot of punches, we’re going to meet in the middle and it’s going to be a fantastic war for the fans. Kane Baker – Birmingham, England – 14-7 – fighting Youssef Khoumari in a ten-round Super-Featherweight contest: “I’m feeling comfortable in these events 100%, but I’ll always be a boxing fan with a licence I can’t take that away. I can’t thank Matchroom enough for the year you’ve given me, I’m going to repay everybody on Saturday night with an explosive performance. “Winner stays on, that’s given me a kick that I needed. Saturday I’ll win again, I just want to fight in your garden Eddie. I’m not worried about titles; I just want to win this Saturday and fight in your garden. “I’m going to do whatever it takes to get the win Saturday night. I’m going to be in his face throwing punches all night.” |
WHYTE – IT’S THE BIGGEST FIGHT OF MY CAREER
| ‘The Body Snatcher’ ready for “must-win” Povetkin rematch |
| Dillian Whyte says his must-win rematch with Alexander Povetkin for the Interim WBC Heavyweight World Title at the Europa Point Sports Complex in Gibraltar on Saturday March 27, shown live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on DAZN in all other markets excluding the UK and Ireland, is the biggest fight of his career to date. ‘The Body Snatcher’ (27-2, 18 KOs) has a chance to exact revenge over Russia’s Povetkin (36-2-1, 25 KOs) following his shock defeat to the former World Champion in the final weekend of Matchroom Fight Camp in Essex last August. Brixton’s Whyte has been forced to wait patiently for his rematch with Povetkin, the two were set to meet in November but the Olympic Champion tested positive for coronavirus ahead of that date and it had to be postponed. Their second clash was then supposed to usher in the new year of boxing but, at the start of January, the sport was suspended amid the growing coronavirus cases in the UK, but the 32-year-old says the delays have given him more time to make the necessary adjustments in order to get the win this weekend. “This time I’ll beat him, and we’ll see what people are going to say.” said Whyte. “One, two or three losses means nothing to a Heavyweight nowadays. If you fight good fighters, the main thing is you can come back. This is a must-win fight for me, but I’m not a guy that worries about pressure. I just smile and take it in my stride. “I was a fighter a long time before I was a boxer. I’ve been knocking people out for a long time. I carry a lot of power in both hands. Povetkin is a very cagey guy and an experienced guy, a very patient guy. He’s a tough guy as well. Last time I didn’t land properly and he went down, but he showed resilience by getting up and then he stopped me. This time when I hit him he’ll stay down. “I’m a very adaptable kind of guy, I’ll do what I need to do to get the win. I don’t care if I’ve got to rough a guy up or outbox them. I’ll do whatever it takes for me to win. It’s the biggest fight of my career. I’m coming off a loss to the guy. The good thing is this is Heavyweight boxing. One fight changes everything. “It’s a fight man. You don’t know how you’re going to feel on the day. You don’t know what’s going to happen and you don’t know how the other guy is going to come. As long as I’m able to adapt on the day, that’s all that matters. “I don’t care if I have to throw two jabs and move or get in and throw power punches and rough him up. I’ll do whatever I have to do. I’m not worried about a career-best performance, I’m worried about getting the win. My mindset is I’ve got a job to do and I’ll do whatever I need to do to get it done. “I’m still young and I’ve got loads of fights left in my career God willing. I can worry about looking good in another fight. This is about winning. When I touch him this time his whole body is going to vibrate, he’ll understand. I’m coming to do what I do best and that’s to inflict pain. If I’ve got to make it a dog fight then I’ll make it a dog fight. It will be a different story this time.” Povetkin vs. Whyte 2 tops a huge night of action in Gibraltar, Bermondsey’s Ted Cheeseman (16-2-1, 9 KOs) meets Liverpool’s James Metcalf (21-0, 13 KOs) for the vacant British Super-Welterweight Title, Ipswich Heavyweight talent Fabio Wardley (10-0, 9 KOs) steps-up again against USA’s former World Title challenger Eric Molina (27-6, 19 KOs), Manchester Super-Featherweight Campbell Hatton – son of British fight legend Ricky Hatton – makes his professional debut against Jesus Ruiz, undefeated Welterweights Chris Kongo (12-0, 7 KOs) and Michael McKinson (19-0, 2 KOs) will collide for the WBO Global Title, Heavyweight contender Eric Pfeifer (7-0, 5 KOs) locks horns with Nick Webb (16-2, 12 KOs) and Wembley Super-Featherweight Youssef Khoumari ( 11-0-1, 4 KOs) faces Birmingham’s Kane Baker (14-7). |
POVETKIN-WHYTE 2 LANDS ON NOVEMBER 21
| ‘The Body Snatcher’ targets knockout revenge over ‘Sasha’ |
| Dillian Whyte has an immediate opportunity to exact revenge over Alexander Povetkin on Saturday November 21 as the Heavyweight rivals collide in a blockbuster rematch, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK. Whyte (27-2, 18 KOs) was sensationally knocked out by Povetkin (36-2-1, 25 KOs) as the Russian viciously halted ‘The Body Snatcher’s’ World Title ambitions in the finale of Matchroom Fight Camp in Brentwood, Essex, last month. Brixton’s Whyte had completely controlled the fight, flooring his opponent twice in the fourth round, but was smashed by a perfect left uppercut 30 seconds into the fifth that ended his hopes in a flash. The 32-year-old will be hoping to regain his Mandatory position for the WBC Heavyweight World Title by levelling the score with Povetkin in what is the most important fight of his career to date. “I’ve rested well, spent time with my family, and now that the date of the rematch is known, I will soon return to my training camp and prepare as thoroughly as I did for the first fight,” said Povetkin. “As I said before the first fight and after it too, Dillian Whyte is a good, strong boxer. I will be ready to enter the ring on November 21. I hope it will be another beautiful fight for the fans.” “I’m over the moon to have the rematch,” said Whyte. “As soon as I got out of the ring, I was looking for confirmation that the fight would be on. I can’t wait to get back in the ring and get back what is rightfully mine. I’m looking to do what I said I would the first time and that’s beat Alexander Povetkin. “There won’t be any major adjustments, but I just need to be more switched on and not get distracted. He was able to use his experience against me. I will be a lot more focused and sharper in the rematch. I’m coming to win and knock him out. I’m coming to even the score and the only way to do that is by knocking him out.” |
Whyte Vs Povetkin & Selby Vs Kambosos Jr Rescheduled to July Due To COVID-19 Pandemic
In line with the Government guidelines relating to COVID-19, Matchroom Boxing have postponed all events scheduled to be taking place in May, including Dillian Whyte vs. Alexander Povetkin at Manchester Arena on May 2, Lee Selby vs. George Kambosos Jr at the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff on May 9 and Oleksandr Usyk vs. Derek Chisora at The O2 in London on May 23.
Subject to the developing situation, Whyte’s Interim WBC Heavyweight World Title clash with Povetkin has been rescheduled to Saturday July 4th, while Selby’s IBF Lightweight World Title Final Eliminator against Kambosos Jr has been rescheduled to Saturday July 11th. Tickets will be valid for these rescheduled dates or refunds will be available from your point of purchase.
A new date for Usyk’s blockbuster Heavyweight showdown with Chisora is also being worked on, with tickets remaining valid for the rescheduled date once announced and refunds available from your point of purchase.
The health and safety of the boxers, staff, event contractors and fans involved with our events remains the top priority for Matchroom Boxing and we thank everyone for their understanding. We look forward to bringing world class boxing events back to these shores as soon as it is safe to do so.
Our thoughts are with everybody affected by the COVID-19 outbreak at this difficult time.
