By Keith Idec

Deontay Wilder obviously expects to return home from Moscow with his WBC heavyweight title later this month.

The undefeated champion already feels as though he has won over countless critics simply by embracing this daunting trip to defend his title against Russia’s Alexander Povetkin on May 21 at Khodynka Ice Palace. Andrey Ryabinsky, Povetkin’s promoter, won a purse bid February 27 and brought the mandatory championship fight to Moscow.

Wilder’s handlers had hoped to bring the fight to Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where Wilder (36-0, 35 KOs) knocked out Poland’s Artur Szpilka (20-2, 15 KOs) in the ninth round January 16.

“I’ve gained a lot of fans just by picking up my nut sack and going to Moscow, Russia, and dropping it over there,” Wilder said. “People [say], ‘He’s got the balls to do it.’ You know, a lot of people thought I was gonna vacate the belt. They’re such idiots. … Just going over there, I’ve done gained a lot of respect. And people are gonna love this fight. I’m looking forward to it, to putting on an excellent show for the people.”

The 6-foot-7, 230-pound Wilder’s defense against Povetkin (30-1, 22 KOs) will mark the Tuscaloosa, Alabama native’s sixth professional fight outside of the United States. He has boxed three times in Mexico, once in Puerto Rico and once in Sheffield, England, where he knocked out Audley Harrison in April 2013 and spent part of training camp for the Povetkin fight.

This trip is different, though, because Wilder believes he is setting an example for champions who are hesitant to defend their titles outside of their home countries.

“I’m setting the tone for fighters all over the world,” Wilder said. “It’s OK to travel sometimes. You’re willing to see how good you are. When people start building their legacy and you’re a world champion, that’s what it consists of, all over the world, traveling all over the world. Get out of your comfort zone and just see how you’re able to do. I don’t believe in just fighting at home.

“At home is always gonna be best for me, but I like to get out of my comfort zone at times and travel. I love to do that and see how well I will perform outside of home. I think that I’ve done gained even more respect from the people all over, from fans all over the world dealing with boxing. So it starts right here.”

Keith Idec covers boxing for The Record and Herald News, of Woodland Park, N.J., and BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.