"Dillian Whyte performed perfectly and he landed those big shots, and he gave himself distance and time," Sky Sports expert Carl Froch praised a faultless knockout victory over Alexander Povetkin in Gibraltar
Sunday 28 March 2021 12:34, UK
Dillian Whyte produced the 'perfect' revenge victory as Alexander Povetkin was 'falling apart' from the opening round, says Sky Sports expert Carl Froch.
Britain's heavyweight contender knocked out Povetkin in the fourth round on Saturday night in Gibraltar to avenge his shock defeat by the Russian last summer.
After wobbling Povetkin in the first round, Whyte clinically set up his final assault, and Froch was impressed with a ruthless triumph.
Sky customers: Buy Povetkin vs Whyte 2 repeats
Non-Sky customers: Buy Povetkin vs Whyte 2 repeats
"He took his time after a very positive first round," Froch told Sky Sports Box Office. "He had some really heavy shots landing and Povetkin was looking shaky and wobbled.
"Nothing really landed totally flush, but he [Povetkin] was showing that he wasn't liking the pressure from Dillian Whyte.
"Then when Whyte started to connect and started to catch him, you could see Povetkin falling apart under the pressure of the shots.
"It was a punch-perfect performance from Dillian Whyte."
Fellow Sky Sports expert Johnny Nelson revealed how Whyte had messaged him about the aggressive tactics that he wanted to enforce.
"I think Dillian needed to prove it to himself," Nelson told Sky Sports Box Office.
"For the first 30 seconds of the first round, yes he was apprehensive, he thought, 'I'm not going to make the same mistake,' and he had to drill it into himself.
"But then he thought, 'right, I've got him now, I'm not going to let him off the hook like I did the last time.'
"He was texting me, saying this is what I'm going to do. I'm going to jump on him every time I get the chance to get him.
"The finishing shot was spot on. I'm so happy for him."
Povetkin's promoter suggested afterwards on social media that Whyte could have sent the 41-year-old into retirement, with Froch praising a disciplined display against a dangerous opponent.
"Taking nothing away from Dillian Whyte, Povetkin did show his age there slightly," said Froch. "I'm not sure we'll see him again.
"But forget that, Dillian Whyte performed perfectly and he landed those big shots, and he gave himself distance and time.
"But when he had Povetkin hurt, he gave himself room, he didn't smother his work, and that's why he was able to land clean, finishing shots. It was an excellent performance by Whyte."
Watch Povetkin vs Whyte 2 repeats on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Box Office, from 9am and 4pm. Book it via your Sky remote or book it online here. Even if you aren't a Sky TV subscriber you can book and watch it here.
