Former world champion Alexander Povetkin is already training in full swing, preparing for his fight with Mike Perez. The World Boxing Council (WBC) sanctioned the fight as a final eliminator, and it takes place on May 22 in Moscow, Russia to determine the mandatory challenger to undefeated WBC champion Deontay Wilder.

Povetkin (28-1, 20 KOs), former 'regular' heavyweight champion of the World Boxing Association (WBA), suffered his only loss against Wladimir Klitschko in 2013. In 2014 he knocked out Manuel Charr and Carlos Takam. He holds the WBC silver title. While Perez (21-1-1, 13 KOs), a Cuban fighter who comes out of in Ireland, suffered his only loss in a close decision against Bryant Jennings last July. On February 5, he stopped Darnell Wilson in the second round in his first fight under the tutelage of trainer Robert Garcia.