By Edward Chaykovsky
WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (36-0, 35KOs) believes his upcoming opponent, Olympic gold medal winner and former WBA champion Alexander Povetkin (30-1, 22 KOs), is being overhyped a little bit.
Their fight is going to take place on May 21 in Moscow, Russia. The exact venue has yet to be announced.
Wilder faces his toughest opponent since winning the title last January from Bermane Stiverne - who is the only fighter to last the distance with Wilder. Povetkin will go into his biggest opportunity since losing a twelve round unanimous decision to Wladimir Klitschko in 2013.
Wilder last defended his title in January at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. He brutally knocked out tough Polish contender Artur Szpilka in nine rounds. Povetkin traveled to America and sat ringside to carefully observe the fight.
Most experts view Povetkin as the toughest, most skilled and most experienced opponent of Wilder's career.
Wilder disagrees. The unbeaten champion doesn't believe Povetkin is the best or the toughest opponent that he's been matched against. Wilder fully expects to win and he expects to win the upcoming defense by knockout.
"I don't think he's the best I've faced but we'll soon see if he is," Wilder told Sky Sports. "It's easier said than done but I don't think he'll be the toughest opponent I've faced."
"Against Bermane Stiverne they said he was going to be the toughest test but I passed that with flying colours. Come the night of the fight, we shall see what sort of Povetkin comes to the ring and what Deontay Wilder brings to that ring. We will see who the last man standing is - and it will be Deontay Wilder, I guarantee."
