By Vadim Pushkin
The team behind WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder will not allow their fighter to be placed at a disadvantage when he travel overseas for his next defense of the title.
The big puncher is scheduled to make mandatory defense against Olympic gold medal winner and former WBA heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin.
The Russian fighter's promoter, Andrei Ryabinsky, is planning to stage the fight on May 21 in Moscow, Russia. Ryabinsky secured the promotional rights by winning last month's WBC purse bid with a submitted amount of $7.1 million.
Wilder has made three successful defenses of the title since winning it last January with a twelve round decision over Bermane Stiverne. This past January at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Wilder knocked out Artur Szpilka in nine rounds. Povetkin and Ryabinsky traveled over to sit ringside and watch Wilder live.
Jay Deas, who is the co-manager and co-trainer of Wilder, will not allow Povetkin's people to set the size of the ring, gloves and other items.
"We will discuss all of the aspects of the fight - from logistics and accommodation to the ring size and the selection of gloves. The size of the ring is a very important issue, but that's not the only one. I am confident that Povetkin would like to fight, so to speak, in a phone booth, but we will find a ring that is acceptable for a world title fight," Deas told Boxing News Ukraine.
A few years ago, Povetkin struggled badly with Marco Huck, who moved up to cruiserweight for the fight. Some of the overseas experts believe Povetkin struggled because of Huck's awkward style of punching. Wilder also throws punches from odd angles at times.
"Deontay also has a very non-standard punching technique, he throws punches from awkward angles. He has a very awkward style. He is also very athletic, which allows him, at times, not to fight by the book and it works. Therefore we will work on what we do best. As for Povetkin, he is Olympic champion and former world champion. He is a well trained and tough fighter. We expect an serious challenge, but we look forward to it," Deas said.
Wilder has an unbeaten record of 36 wins (35 by KO), and Povetkin has 30 wins (22 by KO) and one defeat.