Alexander Povetkin vs Dillian Whyte 2 is an eagerly-awaited heavyweight matchup Saturday night, and we’ve done a deep dive on the big fight to come up with our predictions and betting pick.
These two elite big men met for the first time last August, when underdog Povetkin produced a stunning finish to wreck Whyte’s world-title dreams.
Dillian (27-2) was mandatory challenger for the WBC heavyweight belt going in. He looked on course for a title shot against Tyson Fury when he twice put Povetkin on the floor in Round 4.
But the veteran Russian (36-2-1) got up both times, and came back in the fifth to knock Whyte cold with an incredible left uppercut.
Once again the WBC interim heavyweight title will be on the line for Saturday night’s bout in Gibraltar. But plenty has happened since that first meeting.
The rematch, initially scheduled for November 21 last year, was first cancelled when Povetkin contracted COVID-19. It was then delayed again as he struggled to recover.
COVID-19 travel restrictions caused another postponement, and as a result the bout has landed on the island of Gibraltar, just off mainland Spain.
Read on to find out how you should bet on for what they’re calling ‘The Rumble On The Rock’, and why…
Predictions & expert pick
Renowned trainer and analyst Teddy Atlas said this week that Whyte’s knockout defeat by Povetkin was an accident waiting to happen. That the British star had never corrected flaws which were always evident.
Will trainer Xavier Miller, in only his second fight in charge of Dillian’s corner, be able to eradicate those issues? That is the big question from the Whyte side.
A bigger issue for us though concerns Povetkin and the delay between November and now. Only two things have happened of note – Alexander caught COVID-19, and Alexander got older.
Now 41 and having had a difficult recovery from the pandemic, who knows how the last six months have affected the former world heavyweight champion?
Yes he produced that beauty of an uppercut to starch Whyte last time up. But don’t forget what happened in the first four rounds that night. He was outboxed, outfought and down twice in the fourth.
Povetkin was en route to a crushing defeat before he somehow turned the tide in the fifth. He looked an old fighter with nothing left to give. Beaten to the punch repeatedly and vulnerable.
Whyte has freely admitted this week this is the biggest bout of his career – he MUST win to have any illusions of a world-title bid in the future.
Apart from that first Povetkin meeting, he has always found a way to win recently – adapting his style to box or brawl. Whatever the occasion demands.
While it would be dangerous to write Povetkin off, it is noteworthy that despite the result of the first bout, Dillian is again a relatively heavy favorite here (best odds of -358 with PointsBet). Alexander meanwhile is trading at +290 (BetAmerica).
In short we like Whyte for the win – delayed fights for ageing fighters are never a good thing. Throw in the evidence of the first 4 rounds last August – and COVID – and we’re sold. These are two fighters heading in different directions.
The money line though has little appeal. Dillian is no betting proposition at those odds unless you’re the highest of rollers. So we will look elsewhere for our expert pick.
Povetkin said this week he doesn’t expect another knockout and this one could go the distance. Respectfully, we have to disagree (from a safe distance). We believe Whyte won’t be careless this time, and will get the job done in the first half of the bout.
Put your money down on Dillian to win in Rounds 4-6 at odds of +400 with William Hill.
What time will Povetkin vs Whyte 2 start?
Ring walks for the main event are expected to start between 1700 ET and 1800 ET Saturday (March 27).
How can I watch Povetkin vs Whyte 2 on TV?
Streaming service DAZN has the rights to show Povetkin vs Whyte 2 live in the United States.
DAZN is available on all major platforms and a subscription costs $19.99 per month (cancel at any time) or $99.99 for an annual sub.
Sky Sports Box Office meanwhile has the UK rights and has a price point of £19.95 to buy the bout.