Dillian Whyte 'ready for war' against Alexander Povetkin who prepares for 'fireworks' at Fight Camp

Dillian Whyte remains focused on task at hand amid talks of WBC shot with Tyson Fury after clash with Alexander Povetkin

Dillian Whyte and Alexander Povetkin faced off for the first time ahead of their clash against Fight Camp on Saturday August 22nd at Fight Camp live on Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN, with both fighters expecting an explosive contest as a result of high stakes.

With the WBC interim heavyweight title up for grabs for the triumphant fighter, both 'The Body Snatcher and 'The Russian Vityaz' will be looking to start with pace and power, and look to land the huge left hook which happens to be the trademark shot for both competitors.

Fighting out of Brixton, London, Whyte revealed his sole focus on the clash with Povetkin, refusing to be drawn on speculation over his future opponent, and emphasised his ambition of exploding on the PPV stage, and reannouncing himself after a below-par year in 2019.

He said:

"I had two fights last year but my mind wasn't right. I put weight on. For my last fight I was nearly 20st. I got myself in shape slowly. I knew who I was fighting, and what it would take. I got into shape. The story of my life is pressure. I've been under pressure my entire life. This is just another puzzle. There is more pressure because of the future, but that's in the future.

"I'm fighting a consummate professional so I'm not bothered about Tyson Fury. I'm bothered about Povetkin. Povetkin is the most technical fighter I've fought. He has beaten a lot of top guys. He's an Olympic gold medallist. He's only lost two fights. When the bell goes it doesn't matter if there's 100,000 people there or 100 people. You are zoned in.

"When I'm in shape, you've got problems, because I can do what I like to do. I don't mind blowing up because I can recover, go again. Whatever he wants to do, I'm cool with it. I don't like to make predictions. He is very experienced and can look after himself. He's a tough guy. But listen, if I land early? It is night night early. But he can do the same, as well.

"I deal with pressure well. I could have taken an easier fight. These are the fights you need to grow. This guy has seen everything, probably 20 guys like me. To beat him, I will bank his experience. This motivates me. I will have to think more than I normally do. It gives me an extra edge. I'm ready for chaos and violence. I am focused on Povetkin. I will try to hurt him from the first bell. It will be war - that's what he does. The great thing is that we both do similar things. It's up to me to do things to make the fight in my favour, and I am capable of that. He is more experienced but I know how to fight, which isn't something anyone can teach."

His opponent, 40-year-old Russian heavyweight Povetkin highlighted his delight at fighting on the Fight Camp bill, and believes that this fight could shape the rest of his career, so a huge performance is needed to take the interim title and return to a prime spot at challenging to become unified world champion once again.

He said:" "First of all I would like to thank Eddie for doing this event during a pandemic. I'm very happy to be here. Thanks to Dillian also for taking this fight. Hopefully it will be a great fight in the Heavyweight division. I have taken responsibility to train for this fight, understanding how serious it is. You have to take Dillian seriously. I don't like to make predictions - but it will be fireworks..."

The contest means so much for heavyweights, with a victory needed to reach the top level and challenge the likes of Tyson Fury for the belt in the later stages of the year, with both men capable of coming out and landing damaging punches to try and force a stoppage, or indeed go the distance and decide the fight via the scorecards.

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