Whyte vs. Povetkin result: Alexander Povetkin stops Dillian Whyte with vicious KO uppercut in fifth round
Povetkin claimed the WBC interim heavyweight title with a brutal stoppage of Whyte at Fight Camp
After more than 1,000 days as the WBC's No. 1 contender at heavyweight, Dillian Whyte took the risk of putting his coveted status -- and the WBC interim championship -- on the line against 40-year-old Alexander Povetkin. The risk did not pay off at Matchroom Boxing's Fight Camp on Saturday, with Povetkin scoring a brutal comeback knockout for the upset victory to claim the WBC interim heavyweight championship.
The fight began with some close rounds, both men working off the jab and digging shots to the body. But Whyte stepped on the gas in Round 4, first catching Povetkin with two right hands and then a cuffing left hand to score a knockdown before scoring another moments later with a hard uppercut. Whyte didn't have enough time to go for the finish before the round came to a close, however, and Povetkin looked to have recovered as he came out of his corner to start Round 5.
Thirty seconds later, it was all over. Povetkin unleashed a flawless left uppercut to the chin of Whyte, stiffening his body and sending him crashing down the ropes and to the canvas.
There was no need for a count as the referee waived off the contest at the 0:30 mark of the fifth round, a stunning turn of events that upends the heavyweight division below the "big three" of Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua.
After his victory, Povetkin revealed that the uppercut he used to finish the fight was something he and his team had trained for, and that he retained his confidence even after being knocked down twice in Round 4.
"I didn't feel that I would finish the fight like this but I was pretty confident in the fourth round," Povetkin said. "Yes, I went down twice, but it wasn't too much damage. ... I was watching his fights and took into account that he missed the uppercut from the left and the right. So I trained for just those shots."
Whyte had been patiently waiting for his opportunity to fight for the WBC belt while Wilder and Fury battled through their rivalry. After looking out of shape in his previous fight, a decision win over Mariusz Wach this past December, Whyte showed up looking to be much more physically fit only to be caught by the brutal left of Povetkin.
Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn was quick to point out that the men had a rematch clause in the contract and that he plans to get Whyte and Povetkin back together again. The hope would be that Whyte will regain his previous status as the WBC's top contender.
"We have a rematch clause," Hearn said. "The first thing Dillian said was, 'Give me that rematch. Give me that rematch.' It was a heavy knockout, so he'll have to recover. We will execute that rematch clause. ... He will rematch Alexander Povetkin and I believe he can beat him and bring his No. 1 position back to life. Tonight, this is the ups and downs of boxing."
CBS Sports was with you throughout the entire way on Saturday, so be sure to read below for all the results and highlights from the Fight Camp action.
Whyte vs. Povetkin card results
Alexander Povetkin def. Dillian Whyte (c) via fifth-round KO (uppercut) to win WBC interim heavyweight title
Katie Taylor def. Delphine Persoon via unanimous decision (98-93, 96-94)
Chris Kongo def. Luther Clay via ninth-round TKO
Alen Babic def. Shawndell Winters via second-round TKO
Zak Chelli vs. Jack Cullen ruled a split draw (97-93, 95-96, 95-95)
Whyte vs. Povetkin scorecard, live coverage
| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Whyte | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 39 | ||||||||
Povetkin | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | KO | 35 |
Be sure to subscribe to the State of Combat with Brian Campbell podcast for for the best in boxing coverage each week.
Povetkin comes back from being knocked down twice in Round 4 to score a crushing knockout. What a punch!
Round 5: Whyte snaps Povetkin's head back with a jab and then lands a right hand to the side of the head. Povetkin with a massive uppercut and Whyte crumbles to the canvas! It's over! Povetkin knocks out Whyte!
Povetkin gets back to his feet and looks to be ok, but the round ends.
Unofficial scorecard: 10-7 Whyte
Left uppercut from Whyte and Povetkin is down again!
Povetkin eats a jab and seems to have recovered fine from the knockdown, but Whyte landing some more clean punches, including a right hand counter and left to the body.
Whyte pumping the jab and Povetkin digs to the body again.
Round 4: Right hand lands for Whyte and another. Then a left hook staggers Povetkin and knocks him down! Povetkin gets back up, not a complete knockdown, just enough to make his hands touch the canvas.
Whyte snaps off some solid jabs. Whyte rips to the body and then Povetkin returns the favor as the round ends.
Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Whyte
Povetkin with another shot to the body and Whyte throws out a double jab. Povetkin lands his own hard jab and then digs to the body again.
Povetkin lands a good right hand, getting the punch around Whyte's gloves and he fires off a combination to follow up.
Round 3: Whyte with the first jabs of the round to land and Povetkin gets cracked with a left that rocks him back briefly.
Another round in the books, close action with both men having their moments,but Whyte may have taken it with the early work in the round.
Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Whyte
Povetkin has been consistent with his body attack, but Whyte keeps returning fire.
Povetkin cracks him with a left hook and then goes back to the body with another.
Whyte goes hard to the body again with a left hook. Povetkin's head snaps back from a pair of Whyte jabs.
Round 2: Whyte pushing out a jab early, Povetkin throwing a stiffer one in return. Whyte lands a good left to the body.
Round 1 comes to a close.
Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Povetkin
Povetkin throwing the lead left hook a few times, keeping Whyte from getting comfortable so far.
Whyte lands another jab and Povetkin digs to the body with a few punches, but Whyte throws a few to Povetkin's body in return.
Whyte lands a jab and slides back to avoid return fire. Povetkin lands a shot to the body and comes back to the head.
Round 1: Povetkin pokes out a jab early and Whyte is working off a feint before popping out his own jab.
Pre-fight introductions are done. The fighters have received final instructions from the referee and we are ready to go!
Povetkin in the ring, Whyte making his walk now. The fight is drawing near.
Share Video
-
9:42Terence Crawford Announces Retirement
-
0:30BREAKING: Terence 'Bud' Crawford Announces Retirement
-
1:59Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua Set for Heavyweight Bout
-
0:58What does Anthony Joshua stand to gain from Jake Paul fight?
-
1:30Is Crawford The Greatest Of All-Time After Beating Canelo?
-
1:24What's Next For Terence Crawford After Beating Canelo Alvarez
-
1:51Terence Crawford Moving Up to 168 Pounds for First Career Fight at Super Middleweight
-
1:37Alvarez + Crawford Set For Legacy Fight At Allegiant Stadium On Saturday
-
1:30Boxing Highlights: Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois (7/19)
-
1:57Preview: Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
-
1:34Rams, Seahawks Sound Off After Overtime Thriller
-
1:47Super Bowl Ready or Not? How Perception of Jalen Hurts Has Changed
-
0:58How A First Round Loss Would Impact Miami and Texas A & M's Futures
-
1:23Amicable Split: Warriors Should Trade Jonathan Kuminga
-
1:52Huddle Up...Rick Pitino Vs. Mark Pope Is a Must Watch
-
1:33Huddle Up...Uconn Is The Beast Of The Big East
-
1:23Is Trading Giannis The Best Move For The Bucks?
-
0:54Tua Tagovailoa Sounds Off After Benching
-
1:39What's Next For Dolphins After Benching Tua?
-
1:12Oklahoma In Search of 3rd Straight Win Over Alabama
-
1:03Finding the Perfect Match for DJ Lagway
-
0:30Finding the Perfect Match for Brendan Sorsby
