Dillian’s Whyte’s eagerly-anticipated rematch with Alexander Povetkin, a fight that will be shown in multiple regions on DAZN, takes place in the unique setting of Gibraltar on March 27. To commemorate the magnitude of the event, the Gibraltar government has commissioned a special £2 coin featuring the heavyweight rivals.
The coin, which sees the two boxers become the first from their sport to feature on any sterling currency along with Whyte being the first Black man to receive the honour, was created at Tower Mint on Tuesday. Whyte, training diligently at his base in Portugal, was unable to attend the event but he was delighted at being the beneficiary of such a prestigious award.
“It is a great honour for someone like me to go down in history as the first boxer, and first Black man, to feature on sterling currency,” said Whyte. “I can’t believe that someone that comes from where I come from and been through what I’ve been through can be honoured in this way.
“There’s a lot of Black people that have done much bigger things than me, so it’s a really special occasion for me and my family. This is why we should never give up on children that come from disadvantaged and troubled backgrounds. Kids that are difficult and misunderstood at school can always turn out to do big things in their lives.”
With Whyte unable to witness the striking of the coin, the privilege went to his former headteacher Gary Phillips and a few pupils from Whyte’s old school, Lilian Bayliss in South London. Whyte was quick to thank Mr Philips for his contributions during his adolescent years.
“I’d like to thank my former headmaster Gary Philips and my old maths teacher Isaac Awuley for all of their hard work that they put into me at school. I’m going to win this rematch with Povetkin on March 27th in style and bring my belts back to Lilian Bayliss to show all of the pupils.”
Whyte vs. Povetkin 2 is just part of a huge boxing schedule available on DAZN. To subscribe click here.