Whatever happens in Saturday’s rematch between Alexander Povetkin and Dillian Whyte, it will come under clean circumstances.
The highly anticipated sequel between top heavyweight contenders has remained the subject of random drug testing, as contracted through Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA). Such standards were in place for their first fight last August and remain so for their second meeting which takes place this Saturday live on DAZN-USA and Sky Sports Box Office from Europe Point Sports Complex in Gibraltar.
“There is VADA testing,” Whyte told reporters during a recent Zoom media conference call to discuss the interim WBC heavyweight title fight. “I had like two VADA tests just a couple days ago. There’s been VADA testing. Through the whole of COVID and coronavirus, there’s been VADA testing – for me, anyway. I’ve been tested anyway.
“I don’t know. Obviously, Portugal is easy to get to for VADA, and Portugal has been open to travel, so it’s been easy. It’s been easy. You know? I don’t know what the Russian registration [is] or whatever, so I don’t know.”
VADA officials confirmed to BoxingScene.com that testing has been conducted from the moment the rematch was announced and even through its postponement.
Russia’s Povetkin (35-2-1, 26KOs) has been tested through VADA for every fight dating back to his eventually canceled bout with then-unbeaten heavyweight titlist Deontay Wilder (42-1-1, 41KOs) in May 2016. The fight was pulled after Povetkin tested positive for trace amounts of Meldonium.
Later in 2016, the former two-time heavyweight title challenger—who claimed Olympic Gold in 2004—came up dirty in another VADA-contracted drug test. Povetkin tested positive for Ostarine ahead of a planned interim title fight versus former WBC claimant Bermane Stiverne, who walked from their Dec. 2016 clash. Povetkin went on to face and beat France’s Johann Duhaupas inside of six rounds, though subsequently dealt a suspension.
The now 41-year-old Russian has since regularly enrolled in VADA for every fight since. He is 5-1-1 (2KOs) in that stretch, the lone loss coming in a 7th round knockout versus then-unbeaten, unified heavyweight titlist Anthony Joshua in Sept. 2018. Povetkin also fought to a 12-round draw with Michael Hunter during that stretch.
Whyte (27-2, 18KOs) has also long served as a vocal supporter of VADA testing, utilized in every big fight since he has entered the contender stage.
Saturday’s bout will mark their first since last August, when Povetkin recovered from two knockdowns to knock out Whyte in the 5th round of their interim title fight. The feat was hailed by numerous outlets—including BoxingScene.com—as the 2020 Knockout of the Year.
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
