Dillian Whyte vs Alexander Povetkin 2: Eddie Hearn ‘absolutely bricking’ crunch heavyweight rematch as Matchroom chief admits defeat is unthinkable for the ‘Body Snatcher’

Eddie Hearn has admitted that he's 'absolutely bricking' Dillian Whyte's eagerly-anticipated rematch with Alexander Povetkin - as defeat could spell the end of the 'Body Snatcher's' heavyweight title ambitions.

Whyte was knocked out cold in devastating fashion from a powerful left uppercut by the veteran Russian when they met in August 2020 in Hearn’s back garden at Matchroom Boxing HQ.

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The pair go head-to-head again in a huge showdown in Gibraltar on March 27, which was initially delayed owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

And Whyte's promoter, Hearn, has conceded he's feeling nervous about his prospects ahead of the fight.

"I'm absolutely bricking it. Dillian's a great guy. He came up with no favours in terms of the boxing world," he said on the White & Jordan show.

"He didn't come through the Olympic system, he had no amateur pedigree. He used to fight on undercards for nothing just to get a chance.

"He got himself into a world championship position and last August it came crashing down in just one of the most stunning knockouts and turnarounds in heavyweight history."

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He continued: "Next week against Povetkin it's all or nothing. Really he's fighting for his career in terms of world championship opportunities.

"If he loses to Povetkin next week he's right at the bottom of that sort of elite ladder of people queuing up for a shot.

"If he can win he becomes mandatory again.

"He was controlling the fight, but imagine the confidence of Alexander Povetkin going into that fight. He rendered him unconscious in that fight, he knocked him clean out.

"There has to be doubts as an athlete coming off the back of a defeat like that but Dillian is mentally very, very strong."

Hearn believes Whyte has added 'that bit of nastiness back into him' which gives him renewed belief he can beat 41-year-old Povetkin this time around.

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"I'm really nervous about the fight because I want him to win so bad. I believe he will as I think he's got that bit of nastiness back in him," Hearn explained.

"Maybe he got a bit comfortable as his career and life started progressing, but his back is against the wall and he's got that nasty streak back now.

"I think he's going to try and put this guy out. The confidence and pedigree of Povetkin is going to be really difficult to beat in Gibraltar.

"It's going to be a bizarre event and a fun one. We hope Dillian can get the victory.