Russian heavyweight pugilist Alexander Povetkin has entered the fifth decade of his life. One wouldn’t think along these lines if they witnessed the manner in which he beat Dillian Whyte at the Matchroom Fight Camp.
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As a result of his win, he holds the WBC interim heavyweight championship. The result could set Povetkin for an imminent title match in the coming months. For now, though, he will soak in the admiration from all corners. Given his triumph, his home country gave him a little welcome home surprise.
Povetkin walked out of the airport to see a traditionally clad welcoming party. One of them approached him and placed an ethnic cap on his head. Soon thereafter, another member approached the heavyweight boxer and wrapped a cape around his shoulders. Povetkin seemed surprised and taken aback as he kept glancing at the welcoming committee.
His entourage was all smiles and seemed to have been in on the secret. A man went on a hyped chant in Russian and appeared to be a three cheers call for Povetkin.
This is how Alexander Povetkin was greeted when he returned to Russia today after knocking out Dillian Whyte 👏🇷🇺
🎥 Russian Boxing Federation pic.twitter.com/yJSAeg8cLu
— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) August 23, 2020
It caused him to break into a smile as the camera panned to the left and fans captured the moment of the heavyweight’s return and celebration.
Alexander Povetkin will aim to build on his landmark triumph
‘Russian Vityaz’ has lost just twice in his lengthy professional boxing career. These have come against Wladimir Klitschko and Anthony Joshua with the latter bout being the only time he got stopped.
He does not hold a mandatory status like ‘The Body Snatcher’ did. Hence, any WBC heavyweight title fight will happen only after Tyson Fury fights Deontay Wilder or completes the doubleheader against ‘AJ’.
The celebration for Povetkin should he demolish yet another opponent ten years his junior to claim the championship will be way grander than it was last night.
Moreover, the win against Whyte and any future victory will serve as a beacon to aging boxers. It will show them they too can mount a challenge against anyone and not win purely on luck. Povetkin certainly cannot be deemed lucky to have landed that KO punch as he set it up through five rounds of work.
