Dillian Whyte ready for comeback after enduring 'life in tatters' in 2019
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.
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Dillian Whyte expects to beat Alexander Povetkin on Saturday after his own career was “in tatters” last year.
Whyte was suspended after a drug test during fight week against Oscar Rivas in July 2019 revealed an “adverse finding,” though he was cleared in December. He returned to action that same month on the Anthony Joshua-Andy Ruiz Jr. undercard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he looked rusty but managed to defeat Polish fighter Mariusz Wach.
Now, with his challenging 2019 behind him,Whyte is optimistic about the future. He trained for five productive months in Portugal before returning to England to face Povetkin at Fight Camp in Brentwood, outside London. He sees this as an opportunity to show the world what he can do.
The card will be streamed on DAZN.
“I haven’t got any issues outside of the ring,” he said. “I feel mentally and physically strong. I’ve prepared well, and the whole of last year was a write-off.
“I had a lot of issues, different things on my mind. I’m fighting for my career. When people say things about you, you can’t defend yourself. My stock plummeted, and now I’m in a good place, back where I should be.
“I’ve got a chance to shine against a good fighter and to be a credible fighter.”
Whyte defeated Wach by a unanimous decision but didn’t look like the fighter who beat Dereck Chisora twice, Joseph Parker and Robert Helenius, among others, since he was stopped by Anthony Joshua in his own only title fight in 2017.
The problem was obvious: Lack of proper preparation, which certainly isn’t an issue going into the Povetkin fight. The time in Portugal was part of a fresh start., which he believes will produce positive results.
“In the situation, I had three weeks notice,” he said of the Wach fight. “I wasn’t training, I wasn’t in any form or shape to fight. But for my mentality, my longevity, as a person and for my mental health, I had to fight regardless.”
“… I was able to train, able to shift some unwanted weight . Last year, my career was in tatters, my life was in tatters. My status as a fighter and my credibility as a person was in shambles.
“It was good to get away and focus. It was what I needed. I never change, I’m just in better shape sometimes, more motivated sometimes. Sometimes I’ve got things going on in and around the game, but this time I feel good. I’m ready to rock. I’ve trained hard.
“I’m fit. You can tell by looking at my face that I’m healthy. My face is back to normal.”
Whyte acknowledged that Povetkin poses a threat given the 40-year-old Russian’s wealth of experience but expects to be successful and use the fight as preparation for even bigger challenges.
“Povetkin has probably fought 40 guys like me as an amateur, much less a pro,” he said. “So for me, it’s just learning and improving, so when it does come, I’ve ticked the box so I’m ready to stand up and become a world champion.
“It’s a hard fight. Nobody could ever say it’s an easy fight. You can see him for 15 years consistently at this level, giving world champions a problem. He gave Klitscko a problem a few years ago.
“He’s technically sound, gives a good punch. He’s 40, but guys go on longer and stronger, getting better, these days. … He’s a very aggressive fighter. He’s strong, solid, and he comes forward.
“I don’t think he can stop me. I make technical mistakes, so who knows what they will try? They might come out earlier, they may wait. Let’s see what happens. I’m prepared for whatever.”