Deontay Wilder: I Want Alexander Povetkin as Soon as Possible

By Jake Donovan

No sooner than rumors ran rampant a suggested heavyweight title unification clash between Deontay Wilder and Charles Martin, all parties involved dismissed such talks in various forms.

The pair of heavyweights - both of whom fight under the Al Haymon advisory banner - recently won in separate title fights on the same show last month at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Wilder scored a scintillating 9th round knockout of Artur Szpilka, while Martin claimed the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) title in a forgettable 3rd round injury-stoppage of Vyacheslav Glazkov.

The kneejerk reaction was for many to assume that Haymon would have the two next face each other, which has somehow spawned the belief that Wilder will vacate his World Boxing Council (WBC) belt in lieu of a title defense versus mandatory contender Alexander Povetkin.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Because of the amount of time that has lapsed since Wilder first won his title last January, there isn’t any wiggle room left for alternatives to what has been ordered – not that he’s looking elsewhere.

“Alexander Povetkin is the fight we want next, and I want it as soon as possible,” Wilder (36-0, 35KOs) told BoxingScene.com via text through his publicity team, confirming that his intention is to hold on to his belt while collecting others. “I’m trying to unify all of the titles.”

Negotiations have been ongoing since shortly after knockout win over Szpilka last month. The highlight-reel ending provided an early candidate of Knockout of the Year, although producing a frightening scene as Szpilka was down and out for several minutes before regaining consciousness and being carried out on a gurney while under constant medical surveillance.

Povetkin was ringside for the occasion, as he has waited since last summer for his turn in line to finally enforce his mandatory position. The two initially attempted to make a fight happen last fall, but Wilder’s eagerness to remain as active as possible prompted separate stay-busy bouts. Wilder went on to face and beat France’s Johan Duhaupas live on NBC in primetime in his home state of Alabama last September, while Povetkin scored a 12th round stoppage win over Poland’s Mariusz Wach in Moscow last November.

Following Wilder’s latest win over Szpilka, he and Povetkin were ordered by the WBC to begin negotiations, with a deadline of February 26 in place for the two camps to reach terms or else be subject to a purse bid hearing.

Wilder is being represented by Lou DiBella – who has promoted the unbeaten American heavyweight titlist in each of his three title defenses – while Russian promoter Andrey Ryabinsky. The two sides remain very much in talks with the intention of securing a deal, possibly even returning to Brooklyn.

Wherever it lands, it will in fact be next as long as Wilder intends to keep his WBC title.

“Povetkin is the mandatory contender and that is the only fight the WBC can sanction,” WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman informed BoxingScene.com. “Of course, there is possibility for the two parties to reach an agreement (for another fight other than each other), which is acceptable to the WBC as long as both are in full agreement.”

For as long as Povetkin has waited to put another title around his waist, it’s highly unlikely he will agree to such terms.

The 2004 Olympic Gold medalist served as a World Boxing Association (WBA) secondary titlist for more than two years beginning with his Aug. ’11 win over Ruslan Chageav. His reign lasted until running into then-World heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in their Oct. ’13 foul-filled affair.

Four straight wins have followed for Povetkin, all ending in knockout. His most recent showdown with Wach appeared to be destined for the scorecards, before Wach was stopped on cuts with just over two minutes to go in the fight. Povetkin also suffered a cut, which – given the healing process – provided the window of opportunity for one more voluntary defense (versus Szpilka) before moving towards the official mandatory challenge.

While that fight remains in discussion, Martin is on the hunt for a challenger in his first title defense.

Because Glazkov was the mandatory challenger prior to the IBF title being vacated by World heavyweight king Tyson Fury, Martin (23-0-1, 21KOs) is free to make a voluntary defense and in fact doesn’t have to worry about a mandatory challenger until next January. It hasn’t prevented the unbeaten heavyweight – who turns 30 in April – from going after the best available contender.

Martin’s agent Mike Borao and promoter Leon Margules have confirmed an offer being made to Anthony Joshua (15-0, 15KOs), the 2012 Olympic Gold medalist and current unbeaten heavyweight contender from Great Britain. Joshua – who is promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing – is coming off of a career-best win, a 7th round stoppage of bitter rival Dillian Whyte last December.

The undefeated rising contender is due to return to the ring on April 9 in his fourth straight appearance – and third consecutive headliner – at O2 Arena in London. Martin is more than willing to fill the “TBA” void and travel to jolly old England for his first title defense.

A response has yet to come from Joshua’s camp. Should he pass on the fight at this time – still less than four years into the pro ranks – it would not preclude him from a future title shot.

The IBF is in a pickle regarding its ability to mandate a final eliminator. Currently sitting at the highest rated (though not mandatory) slot is Erkan Teper, who is currently appealing a suspension ruling stemming from a failed drug test associated with his knockout win over David Price last summer.

Joshua is the next highest-rated challenger, followed by Carlos Takam and unbeaten Joseph Parker. Martin isn’t obligated to go in order down the line, although the pickings are slim given political affiliations and physical challenges.

Scrolling through the rest of the IBF rankings, his first defense – if not versus Joshua – could revisit unfinished business. Martin and Dominic Breazeale were due to face each other last December in San Antonio, which would have aired live on NBC. Martin was pulled from the fight, however, when the opportunity arose to face Glazkov for the vacant title.

Breazeale – who is ranked #15 by the IBF but perhaps moving up in the next rankings - was left without an opponent for the December 12 show, but found a new home in a January 23 clash with Amir Mansour. The Fox-televised bout saw the unbeaten heavyweight hit the deck in round three, only to rally back and force an injured Mansour to quit on his stool after five rounds, suffering a broken jaw and having bitten through his tongue to the point of nearly choking on his own blood.

Whomever Martin next faces, it won’t be Wilder. Then again it could be, if he’s willing to wait out his Wilder’s mandatory title fight versus Povetkin, which is in fact is next.

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox