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Deontay Wilder owes Alexander Povetkin a mandatory title defense, and the WBC says it must take place next.
And that’s exactly what’s going to happen, according to Lou DiBella, the promoter of record for Wilder’s last three bouts. If everything goes to plan that is. DiBella said he’s targeting a May date at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center for the tilt, a highly-anticipated matchup of top-five heavyweights.
“The ball’s in their court,” DiBella told USA TODAY Sports, referring to Povetkin and his team. “I’m waiting to hear back from (Russian promoter) Andrey Ryabinski. I discussed some possible terms with them that I thought were fair. (I expect to hear back) early next week.”
If the sides can’t come to an agreement during the voluntary negotiation period, a purse bid will be held. Under those terms, Wilder, as champion, would receive 70% of the winning bid, with Povetkin the recipient of the remainder. DiBella, though, is confident they can get a deal done before then. “Anyone who thinks Wilder is vacating the title doesn’t know Wilder,” he said.
And that’s exactly what’s going to happen, according to Lou DiBella, the promoter of record for Wilder’s last three bouts. If everything goes to plan that is. DiBella said he’s targeting a May date at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center for the tilt, a highly-anticipated matchup of top-five heavyweights.
“The ball’s in their court,” DiBella told USA TODAY Sports, referring to Povetkin and his team. “I’m waiting to hear back from (Russian promoter) Andrey Ryabinski. I discussed some possible terms with them that I thought were fair. (I expect to hear back) early next week.”
If the sides can’t come to an agreement during the voluntary negotiation period, a purse bid will be held. Under those terms, Wilder, as champion, would receive 70% of the winning bid, with Povetkin the recipient of the remainder. DiBella, though, is confident they can get a deal done before then. “Anyone who thinks Wilder is vacating the title doesn’t know Wilder,” he said.
When I talk about Povetkin delaying the fight this is what I'm talking about.
6/11/15
On May 22nd Povetkin beat Perez to become Wilder's mandatory challenger for the WBC belt. Three weeks after the fight the WBC announced that negotiations were to begin in October and expected the fight to take place in January. Two days later Wilder beats Molina
7/14/16
A month later the WBC reiterated this point. Negotiations must take place in October. If they come to an agreement a purse bid will be held in November and the fight in January. At this time Povetkin said he might take a break from boxing and wait for the negotiation period.
8/12/2015
On August 12th, with negotiations set to begin in October, Povetkin announces a fight with Wach. Scheduled for November 4th
8/20/15
A week later Wilder schedules a fight with Duhaupas. Scheduled for September 26th
8/23/15
A week after he schedules his fight with Wach, and three days after Wilder schedules his fight with Duhaupas, Povetkin said he's wants Wilder now and he's disappointed the fight is subject to rescheduling. The negotiations were pushed back from October because Povetkin scheduled a fight for November Povetkin's promoter said the Wach fight was to get Povetkin ready for Wilder http://www.boxingscene.com/promoter-...-wilder--94997
11/4/15
On the night of the Povetkin fight a representative from Povetkin's camp informed the WBC that he won't be ready for the fight in January. He'll be ready around April or May. The WBC approved another voluntary for Wilder in January, the time Wilder/Povetkin fight was to take place originally stated back in June.
11/9/15
Five days after telling the WBC Povetkin won't be ready until April or May, Povetkin's promoter comes out and claims Wilder is ducking Povetkin because he as granted another voluntary in January. The original date Povetkin and Wilder were supposed to fight! He also pushes the date back from April or May to "summertime".
11/17/2015
Thirteen days after telling the WBC they won't be ready for the January fight, and the WBC granting Wilder another voluntary, Povetkin's trainer comes out and said that they're ready for Wilder NOW!!!
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