By Igor Lazorin, tass
Olympic gold medal winner and former WBA 'regular' heavyweight world champion Alexander Povetkin is not backing down from a showdown with WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder.
The fight was scheduled for May 21st, but it was postponed by the World Boxing Council when the sanctioning body revealed that Povetkin tested positive for banned substance meldonium in a late April pre-fight drug test.
Povetkin and his promoter, Andrei Ryabinsky, opened up his B-sample but that also came up positive for the banned substance.
The WBC has yet to make an official ruling on Povetkin. They are continuing their investigation. Povetkin will either remain in the mandatory position or get removed and suffer some form of punishment from the sanctioning body.
Povetkin plans to fight, even legally, to keep his shot at Wilder in place. Ryabinsky has promised to pursue a legal action, if necessary, to keep the fight with Wilder on course.
"I'm ready for anything, but me and my promoters will do everything possible to ensure the fight takes place in the near future," said Povetkin.
The WBC recently gave Wilder the right to conduct a voluntary defense, while they continue their investigation of Povetkin.
Wilder and his team are also threatening legal action. Wilder wants his guaranteed purse of 4.6 million or else he will purse the matter in court.
Povetkin has a record of 30 wins (22 by KO) and suffered one defeat. Wilder has 36 fights in all, with 35 victories by knockout. Wilder is also a bronze medalist of the 2008 Olympic Games.
