Wilder to fight Martin instead of Povetkin?

Martin's looking to cash-out to either Joshua or Wilder. So even if Wilder drops the WBC and avoids Povetkin, he'll have to face Joshua/Takam shortly after. I wonder if Wilder would be willing to fight Povetikin in Russia? I expect Ryabinsky to once again win the purse bid like he did for Klitschko.

Martin offered a shot to Joshua in April..

Wilder recently denied this in an interview, stated he wants Povetkin in late April

I think wilder will take the fight with martin for the unification I cant see him droppping the wbc for the ibf

Wilder is gonna face martin for both belts. That's give enough time for Wlad-Fury II to happen... and winners can face each other.

Wilder trying to buy himself time whilst waiting on Klitschko to get his belts back, he knows Povetkin will KO him.

Of course he will, that's why the vacant title fight was on the Wilder undercard.

The justification has already surpassed predicted levels. Good job, fellas.

I'd be happy to see Wilder face Martin for both the belts, as long as the winner faces Fury. Harsh on Povetkin but I'd guarantee him first shot at the winner of Fury/Wilder, and at least he would be fighting for the real championship and not Wilder's paper belt.

There's no truth or validity to this. I understand B.S. When I hear it. This sounds very contrived at best. Both camps have expressed an interest in this fight. Besides, how can the super fight between himself and Tyson Fury take place without challenging Povetkin? They'll strip Wilder of his WBC title if that happens.

In all honesty, having two champs is better than three. I would feel for Povetkin, and it's a fight a really want to see. But I have no feeling for Martin having the IBF anyway. WBC/IBF champ vs Fury would be great. Get an undisputed champ

I would laugh if povetkin takes a step aside deal They shouldnt need to pay him any step aside money cause unifications > mandatories.

He wouldnt have to drop the belt..unifications outweigh mandatories I'm not convinced the WBC will be okay with this, his mandatory is well overdue already.

He was talking about civilized places. Not Russia. So that's why he mentioned Zaire?

I'm going to wait until I hear more before I jump down Wilder's throat. The Povetkin fight has been brewing for a while now, and it's a fight in which both combatants will be healthily paid and draw large audiences. To postpone it yet again in order to pursue a worthless unification against a no name like Martin would be both highly deleterious to Wilder's image and financially counter productive for all concerned. Martin is a fighter who appeals to neither casuals nor hardcores so there's really no angle to promote the fight. The fact that he owns a belt is a pretty meaningless accolade considering the manner in which the belt was up for grabs and the way in which he actually won it. No, I think the Povetkin fight will still happen. And if it doesn't, then f*ck Wilder and his punk ass. Couldn't have said it better myself. Good post.

Povetkin's fault for postponing the January fight. Martin winning the title was the best thing to happen to Wilder. If Povetkin wants a shot his promoter better stop trying to have the fight in Russia. Wilder is not fighting in Russia. I wouldn't suggest any boxer fights in Russia. To many problems over there with steroids and corruption over there right now. Now his promoter better come to his senses and realize he doesn't have any bargaining power. Wilder can unify with Martin and then unify again with the winner of Fury/Klitschko. And Povetkin will be on the outside looking stupid. That's what he gets for scheduling a fight in November when the January fight was supposed to be finalized in October. And then telling the WBC he wouldn't be ready to fight in January. Povetkin played these same games with Klitschko. Now he's the odd man out. Wilder stated in a recent interview that he has no problems travelling or defending his belt abroad. I'd like to believe him.

I hope not. Martin is a bum in my opinion. Nothing to be gained by knocking him out.

Wilder said earlier that Povetkin is still his priority/#1 So really bad on him if he vacates

I saw this coming from a mile away. The moment Charles won that belt I could see a unification trumping his mandatory.

Hopefully some don't change their stances and say that unification fights are important. (unless its only important to their favorite fighters) Lol shhhhhh