WBC Prez Feels Povetkin Was Not Physically Ready After Long COVID Battle

World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman believes the 41-year-old was not physically ready for the rematch with Dillian Whyte.

On Saturday night in Gibraltar, Whyte stopped Povetkin in four rounds.

Back in August of 2020, Povetkin was dropped twice in the fourth round – but then came out in the fifth and knocked Whyte out cold with a brutal uppercut up the middle.

The rematch was initially scheduled to take place last November, but it was pushed back when Povetkin was diagnosed with COVID-19.

The Russian veteran was reportedly very ill, lost weight, and was hospitalized.

Because it took Povetkin longer than expected to overcome the effects of COVID, he was unable to move forward with a planned January date.

Eventually both sides agreed on March 27.

Povetkin seemed to be a few steps off from the very start of the rematch. He had trouble keeping his balance and executing punches.

He was eventually dropped hard from a big combination in the fourth, with the contest being wisely stopped when Povetkin got to his feet on very unsteady legs.

Many observers felt Povetkin was a shell of his former self.

Sulaiman agreed, believing the Russian veteran was not completely recovered from his COVID battle.

“Povetkin is a real warrior, he has a very big heart,” Sulaiman said to Igor Lazorin. “But I think he was not ready for a rematch with Whyte, because of medical reasons after dealing with an illness.”

Sulaiman feels that a third fight would be a logical decision.

“That would be a logical decision [to have a third fight]. Two knockouts, so many knockdowns in two fights is incredible,” Sulaiman said.

A trilogy fight is very unlikely. Whyte is moving forward with other plans – and Povetkin’s handlers want nothing more than to see the boxer retire with his faculties in place.