Ricky Hatton has a daunting prediction for Dillian Whyte if he can’t beat Alexander Povetkin in their rematch this weekend.
Whyte and Povetkin went toe to toe last August in a fight that was designed to elevate Dillian to the next level. Instead, after a strong start, he was stunned by a vicious knockout shot from Povetkin that finished the bout in the fifth round.
Must-win for Whyte
A rematch was always on the cards and now, seven months later, here we are.
During a recent interview with iFL TV, the aforementioned Hatton made it clear that he thinks Whyte can get the job done. However, he also warned that another defeat could be pretty devastating.
“If he [Whyte] was to get beat and if he was to get stopped again, I think David Price was a prime example,” Hatton said.
“After he got beat that first time [by Tony Thompson], and he got stopped, he could never get it back. I think that if Dillian could come back, I think his confidence would go through the roof.
“Let’s say he [Whyte] stops him, having been stopped himself, to stop him again; his confidence would be at an all-time high for Dillian.
“Then he could go on and achieve what he’s always hoped for, which is what he’s always dreamed of, which is hopefully a world title,” Hatton said.
David Price lost consecutive fights to Tony Thompson in 2013 and since then, the former prospect has never been the same. Before those two losses he was 15-0 but now, his record stands at 25-7.
Whyte has been vocal in his desire to fight at the highest level, and one more than one occasion has shown glimpses that he’s more than capable of doing so. With that being said, Saturday’s bout has surely got to be a must-win ordeal for the 32-year-old.
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