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Deontay Wilder is still open to facing Alexander Povetkin but it will have to be in the U.S. on his terms, he told ******.com.
Wilder was supposed to defend his heavyweight title against Povetkin on May 21 in Moscow. The bout was canceled just days before after Povetkin tested positive for the banned substance Meldonium. The two camps have since exchanged lawsuits over the fight’s cancellation. Wilder considers Povetkin unfinished business.
“I would love to still fight Povetkin,” Wilder told ******.com on Wednesday. “To be honest, I think about it all the time. I was very confident going into his country, behind enemy territory and I was going to prevail. It was almost going to be similar to the (Chris) Arreola fight. Both guys don’t really move their head. Povetkin is right there in position for me. He’s perfect for my style, for my awkwardness and what I’m able to do.”
Wilder (37-0, 36 knockouts) stopped Arreola after eight rounds on July 16 in a stay-busy fight while the WBC investigates the failed drug test. “I was so ready to represent my country and myself when I went over to Russia,” Wilder said. “I was definitely going to destroy him. Now, I’m definitely looking forward to us getting it on again. I would love to fight the guy.”
Wilder said if he does fight Povetkin again, it will have to be in the U.S. “Most definitely,” he said. “We gave them the opportunity and their chance. They blew it. Now it’s time (for him) to come to America. He’s never fought in America. So it will be his debut here and it will definitely have to be on our terms. That’s for sure.”
Wilder was supposed to defend his heavyweight title against Povetkin on May 21 in Moscow. The bout was canceled just days before after Povetkin tested positive for the banned substance Meldonium. The two camps have since exchanged lawsuits over the fight’s cancellation. Wilder considers Povetkin unfinished business.
“I would love to still fight Povetkin,” Wilder told ******.com on Wednesday. “To be honest, I think about it all the time. I was very confident going into his country, behind enemy territory and I was going to prevail. It was almost going to be similar to the (Chris) Arreola fight. Both guys don’t really move their head. Povetkin is right there in position for me. He’s perfect for my style, for my awkwardness and what I’m able to do.”
Wilder (37-0, 36 knockouts) stopped Arreola after eight rounds on July 16 in a stay-busy fight while the WBC investigates the failed drug test. “I was so ready to represent my country and myself when I went over to Russia,” Wilder said. “I was definitely going to destroy him. Now, I’m definitely looking forward to us getting it on again. I would love to fight the guy.”
Wilder said if he does fight Povetkin again, it will have to be in the U.S. “Most definitely,” he said. “We gave them the opportunity and their chance. They blew it. Now it’s time (for him) to come to America. He’s never fought in America. So it will be his debut here and it will definitely have to be on our terms. That’s for sure.”
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