Deontay Wilder In Negotiations To Fight Alexander Povetkin

The WBC has confirmed that Deontay Wilder has entered negotiations to fight mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin.

Wilder defended his belt against Artur Szpilka in New York on Saturday night via ninth-round stoppage and his next first might now be against Russia's Povetkin, who was last in action in November when he stopped Mariusz Wach in the final round to cement his mandatory status.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said: “The next fight will absolutely see Wilder against the mandatory challenger, Alexander Povetkin. Right now, there is a negotiating process in which the parties have 30 days [to reach a deal]. I think the fight will take place in May or June”

Povetkin is a former WBA world heavyweight champion but lost his belt when he suffered his only career defeat on points to Wladimir Klitschko in Moscow in October 2013.