By Vadim Pushkin
Peter Fury, uncle and coach of WBO/IBO/WBA heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, gives WBC champion Deontay Wilder (35-0, 34KOs) the edge over mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin (30-1, 22KOs).
Wilder has been ordered to make a mandatory defense against Povetkin in the first six months of 2016. Wilder will first defend his title in a few weeks, on January 16th, against Polish contender Artur Szpilka at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Fury wants the winner of the contest, after he holds his rematch with former champion Wladimir Klitschko.
"Now we have to give Klitschko a rematch, but we'll see who will have the WBC belt. And if Povetkin has it, then we'll fight him. These are the fights we are targeting, Wilder or Povetkin - depending on who will be the WBC champion," Peter said to Alexander Pavlov.
Peter views Povetkin as a very good fighter, but feels he's not as impressive againt fighters who are taller than him. He was dominated by Klitschko in 2013 and was less than impressive with slow and stationary Mariusz Wach in November. Wilder has better footwork and the physical advantages, but both fighters are big punchers.
"I think he's a very, very good fighter, but his capabilities are limited against tall fighters," Peter said.
