By Vadim Pushkin
Andrei Ryabinsky, promoter for Olympic gold medal winner and former WBA champion Alexander Povetkin (30-1, 22KOs), feels confident that a deal will get reached with WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (36-0, 35KOs).
Povetkin is the mandatory challenger and the official purse bid is scheduled for February 26th in Mexico City.
Ryabinsky has a very good feeling, based on the ongoing negotiations with promoter Lou DiBella, and feels that a deal will get finalized without the requirement of battling with their wallets at a purse bid.
A few weeks ago, Ryabinksy believed the fight would fall apart. He expected Wilder to vacate his title and then challenge newly crowned IBF champion Charles Martin. Both Wilder and Martin are advised by Al Haymon.
One possibility for the fight is a date in late May at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York - which in turn would eliminate the champion's fear of fighting in Russia.
"The specific outcome has not been achieved as of yet, but are in negotiations," said Ryabinsky. "Everything is going reasonably, calmly and rationally. I think we will reach an agreement. The option [of Wilder] going into a fight against IBF champion Charles Martin has dropped out, thank God."
Wilder fought last month and retained his title by knocking out Artur Szpilka in the ninth round at the Barclays Center. Povetkin, who was ringside for Wilder's most recent defense, was last seen in the ring in November. He took a stay-busy fight by stopping huge Polish contender Mariusz Wach in the twelfth round. Povetkin has already started training for the bout with Wilder.