Dillian Whyte and Alexander Povetkin honoured by Gibraltar ahead of heavyweight rematch

The highly-anticipated rematch, billed as ‘Rumble on the Rock’, will take place on the island

Dillian Whyte rematches Alexander Povetkin in Gibraltar (Mark Robinson)

Britain’s Dillian Whyte has expressed his delight at the “great honour” to feature on a new two pounds coin issued by the Gibraltar government to celebrate his rematch with Alexander Povetkin being staged on the island on 27 March.

Billed as “Rumble on the Rock”, Whyte is out for revenge after being shocked by his Russian rival, who delivered a devastating knockout in the fifth round last August at the Matchroom HQ.

Povetkin also features on coin, with the two heavyweights now the only boxers to ever feature on any sterling currency, while Whyte becomes the first Black person to receive the honour.

“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,” Whyte said in a statement.

“I can’t believe someone that comes from where I come from and has 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.

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“I’d like to thank my former headmaster Gary Phillips and my old maths teacher Isaac Awuley for all of the hard work that they put into me at school. I wish I’d listened to them more! The school is doing really well these days but back then that wasn’t the case, but they did a great job of supporting us all.

“I can’t thank them enough, they’ve played a bigger part in my life than they think. I’m going to win this rematch with Povetkin on March 27 in style and bring my belts back to Lilian Baylis to show all of the pupils.”

The first coin was struck at Tower Mint in London on Tuesday, the statement added.

HM Govt of Gibraltar have commissioned a new £2 coin to commemorate Rumble on the Rock (Mark Robinson)

Whyte vs Povetkin 2 full card

Dillian Whyte v Alexander Povetkin – for WBC interim heavyweight title

Ted Cheeseman v JJ Metcalf – for British super-welterweight title

Chris Kongo v Michael McKinson – for WBO global welterweight title

Fabio Wardley v Eric Molina

Erik Pfeifer v Nick Webb

Youssef Khoumari v Kane Baker

Campbell Hatton v TBA