HEAVYWEIGHT DILLIAN Whyte is taking it one step at a time as he looks to conquer the division.

Improving Whyte tackles experienced Alexander Povetkin on May 2 but will not be distracted by talk of possible fights with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

Whyte, who will be defending his Interim WBC crown, said:  “I’m not thinking about Tyson Fury, what’s happening with him, I’m just thinking about Alexander Povetkin, because he’s dangerous and he’s going to want to come and fight and leave it all on the line.

FIGHTER

The Brixton fighter added: “I remember watching him fight Cedric Boswell when I had about three, or one fight.

“I remember him smashing Cedric Boswell to bits and Hasim Rahman – this guy is serious and now it’s my time to bring some maximum violence to him. Funny world of boxing, eh.

“He’s been through the mill, seen every style. I haven’t, I’m still learning. I’m learning on the job, in the deep end swimming.

“For me to fight these kind of guys is a massive learning opportunity for me. I believe I beat them all anyway. I just got to be in shape. Leave the cakes alone, I’m good.


“We’re very similar in that mindset in that we come and give it our all, so I’m just focused on him. We’ll see what happens on May 2.

“We’ll have a chat about Tyson Fury and that. Now I’ll put that on the back-burner and just focus on Alexander Povetkin for the next eight weeks.”

KNOCKOUTS

Whyte has 18 knockouts in his 27 professional fights but he and his trainer, Mark Tibbs, are wary of the respected Povetkin.

Tibbs said: “Povetkin is very dangerous. He’s had a very highly-decorated amateur and pro career. This fight for Dillian is very very important.

“It’s one that’s going to get his juices flowing. I feel like it’s going to be the birth of the all-rounder box fighter, the birth of a completed fighter. We don’t underestimate anyone. It’s going to be a proper humdinger.

“For me to fight these kind of guys is a massive learning opportunity”

Dillian Whyte

“There’s three ways to beating this guy, whether it’s going forward or going back, or standing there and planting our feet and letting them go. 

“It was a tough year but Dillian is back and I’m confident this is his time.”