Wilder says if Povetkin isn't suspended he might give up his belt

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) – He was the same cheerful Deontay Wilder as the WBC heavyweight champ came down the escalator at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. He was all smiles until the questions about Alexander Povetkin started. “He’s a coward,” said Wilder, who was set to face the Russian on Saturday in Moscow. “If it was me on the other end and I was using any kind of drugs, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself knowing that I didn’t do the right things.” The WBC number one contender failed a drug test over the weekend for meldonium. “It’s already a dangerous sport as is, and when you get a man that uses enhanced performance drugs to make his body do unnatural things it’s not supposed to do, it’s devastating. I put so much time and effort into working towards this. Over a hundred and something rounds, my body went through a lot. We traveled thousands of miles just to end up empty-handed,” Wilder fumed. Meldonium was added the banned substance list by the World Anti-Doping Agency last fall, with the ban taking effect on January 1, 2016. It is used to increase stamina by allowing more oxygen and blood-flow to muscles. Even though he came back with his title as a result of his opponent’s failed test, Wilder believed he would still have brought the belt, which he has nicknamed “Sophia,” anyway. “I was at the best I’ve ever been in my career. The preparation was awesome. I’m right here at 236, the highest of my career,” touted Wilder. He then paused and added, “Everything was perfect.” Wilder, who is 36-0 by way of 35 KO’s, has yet to face his first WBC mandatory defense. Povetkin would have been that challenger. “They should use him as an example for all those that want to dope, want to cheat, want to abuse their body with substance; it’s not cool at all,” Wilder insisted. The WBC has yet to make a ruling on the situation. If they decide not to suspend Povetkin, it could set-up for the two to square off down the road. “I might give up my belt. To be honest, that is my first reaction that I would feel,” Wilder vehemently stated. “If they would still give him a chance, now they’re saying it’s cool to do this. It’s cool to put drugs in your body that’s illegal. Why have drug testing? That would be my first initial thought Wilder does not want to think about his next fight at the moment, proof that the normally forward-thinking fighter is miffed at the circumstances. “I can’t think about the next fight. Right now my mind is focused on this. I still want my money, I still want to be paid,” he said. Wilder was due to make at least $4.5 million off the fight, regardless of the outcome. That would have been the biggest purse of his career. As he gathered his bags to head home to Tuscaloosa, Wilder eased off the aggression. “It’s good to be home,” he smiled. “Even though we didn’t fight, it’s good to be home.”