From almost starving to death in Jamaica to fathering a child at 13 and being shot and stabbed in London, the boxer has faced bigger challenges than his rematch with Povetkin
“It’s difficult but my life has always been difficult, since the day I was born,” says Dillian Whyte as he prepares to step into the ring on Saturday to face Alexander Povetkin, the Russian heavyweight who knocked him out with a devastating uppercut last August.
Whyte needed to win that night to guarantee himself a shot at the world heavyweight title and he looked to be in total control after dropping Povetkin twice in the fourth round. He came out to finish the fight in the fifth when, out of nowhere, Povektin threw a ferocious punch that jolted Whyte’s head back with sickening impact. Whyte was unconscious before he hit the canvas.
Related: Alexander Povetkin knocks out Dillian Whyte after twice being on canvas
It’s gangster stuff and you think it’s cool to go to prison. But there is nothing cool about it – you’re a fool
On my hard days I think about my mum and sister. Boxing is difficult, but they do much more exhausting work
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