WBC heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder, is set to get what amounts to for many, as a ‘stay of execution,’ given mandatory challenger, Alexander Povetkin, has revealed he will not be ready for the proposed January date for their title clash.
Wilder was due to meet his mandatory challenger early next year, although after ‘Sasha’ today dominated Polish challenger, Mariusz Wach – stopping him on a cut in the final round – it was revealed the Russian’s representatives informed the WBC at their annual convention in China, that he will not be ready to meet Wilder until April or May 2016.
This will be music to the ears of the maligned champion, who has come under heavy fire from fans angered at the calibre of opposition he has faced since winning the green belt against Bermane Stiverne back in January.
Wilder has defended twice, against full-time school teacher, Eric Molina, back in June, and then again in September against little-known Frenchman, Johann Duhaupas, making relative hard work of both opponents, and causing many to further examine and question his championship credentials.
The Al Haymon advised ‘Bronze Bomber’ has been looking to try and make another voluntary defence of his title before meeting Povetkin in January, something he is now free to do given the news ‘Sasha’ will not be ready, as the WBC approved a Jan. 16 date for that fight to take place.
With Wilder having previously made comments regarding Povetkin and alleged steroid use, it’s in no doubt the Russian will be looking to punish the Alabama native when they eventually do meet, and fans probably shouldn’t expect anything other than a home town defence for Deontay against a little known fighter on the PBC platform in the interim.
Roll on April/May 2016…..
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