Deontay Wilder's Manager: The Goal is Still To Unify The Division
By Edward Chaykovsky
As previously reported by BoxingScene.com, Alexander Povetkin will not be suspended for testing positive for a trace of meldonium in the weeks leading up to a planned mandatory title fight against WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.
The fight was set to take place on May 21 in Russia, but it was postponed by the World Boxing Council after Povetkin test result was received.
Meldonium was once legal to take and was widely used by many athletes. It was placed on banned substance list on January 1st of this year.
Instead of issuing a suspension, the WBC ordered a mandatory fight between Povetkin and Bermane Stiverne for the interim-championship. The interim-title has come into play because Wilder is recovering from multiple surgeries for injuries that were suffered in last month's knockout win over Chris Arreola.
The winner will eventually land a mandatory fight with Wilder. Stiverne is the only boxer to go the distance with him. Last January Wilder won a twelve round decision over Stiverne to capture the WBC title.
Once Wilder returns to the ring, he will be aiming for the other champions in the division. Currently Anthony Joshua holds the IBF title, while Tyson Fury has the WBA/IBO/WBO titles around his waist. Depending on what happens with the planned fall returns of Fury and Joshua, the betting odds of any casino would suggest that a voluntary defense will take place.
“The WBC’s decision doesn’t matter as far as Deontay’s goal of unifying the heavyweight championship of the world,” Wilder co-manager Jay Deas said to the Tuscaloosa News. “Deontay’s goal is still the same, and he will achieve that goal.”
“Deontay is exactly what every organization should want in their champion. He’s for clean boxing. He fights clean. He fights often. He fights honest. This is what every organization should hope for in a champion. I hope that the WBC realizes what a crown jewel they have in Deontay Wilder. He exemplifies everything that a champion should be.”
