By Ryan Burton

Former heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne (25-2-1) is just over a week from his clash against Alexander Povetkin (30-1). The fight  takes place at the Ekaterinburg Expo in Ekaterinburg, Russia and the interim WBC heavyweight title will be at stake.

The 38-year-old Stiverne said that he is in great shape and cannot wait to step in the ring. Traveling to Povetkin's homeland doesn't bother him at all.

"Everything is good. I am working hard and am in good shape.  I am just ready to go and can't wait," said Stiverne. "Since the amateurs that is how I've been doing man. I have been going to people's backyards and crashing their party. His trainer can't fight for him.  His promoter can't fight for him. It is just me and him in the ring so why worry about it? He has the pressure. I don't have any pressure."

Stiverne captured the WBC heavyweight title in 2014 and lost it in his first title defense against current title holder Deontay Wilder. He said that he is much more focused than he was for that fight. Stiverne is still the only fighter to go the full distance with Wilder. The winner of Stiverne vs. Povetkin will become the mandatory challenger to Wilder.

He ended up in the hospital with dehydration after the Wilder fight but insists he learned a lesson from that experience and has vowed to come back stronger than ever and put on an explosive performance in Russia.

"Hell yeah. This is to be a two-time champ. I am more motivated. That is why I worked out the way I worked out.  I don't see myself losing the fight. It is not going the distance. I am going to knock him out," Stiverne explained to BoxingScene.com.

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