WBC orders Wilder-Povetkin showdown

Undefeated WBC U.S heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (35-0, 34 KO's) has been ordered to fight Russia's Alexander Povetkin (29-1, 21 KO's) next by the WBC. Povetkin takes on the 6'7 Mariusz Wach in November, which is no easy task. Should Povetkin win that fight he will be mandated to face Wilder next. The fight will likely fall in the early parts of 2016.

Wilder has been criticized for taking on alot of "soft opponents" by many fans. His best win was a victory over WBC champion Bermane Stiverne at the beginning of this year. Povetkin however has been in the ring with elite competition suffering his only loss to the undisputed champion of the heavyweight division Wladimir Klitschko. Povetkin would be a huge test to the undefeated United States heavyweight champion who is looking to bring heavyweight boxing back to the States by taking out Klitschko sometime next year. In order for Wilder to achieve his dream of taking Wladimir out, he's going to have to get by the hard hitting Russian Povetkin first.

There is a flip side to this. Wilder could vacate the title and hope to land a Klitschko fight next. If Haymon can't make a deal with Povetkin's promoter the fight would likely fall to a purse bid. Word on the street is that Povetkin's promoter has more than enough money to defeat Haymon in the purse bid. That would likely force Wilder to defend his title in Russia, something that many don't see happening. There was also some noise that Povetkin's promoter may want to stage the fight in the United States. For now, the WBC has mandated the the fight happen, which is a step in the right direction.