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Deontay Wilder (36-0, 35 KOs) will have to make his mandatory title defense against Alexander Povetkin (30-1, 22 KOs) behind enemy lines in Russia. Wilder wanted to face Povetkin in Brooklyn, NY, but after promoter Andrey Ryabinsky of World of Boxing won the purse bid, it was clear that wasn't going to happen.
"I had a few options: to make a ton of money, or to create a comfortable environment for Alexander," Ryabinsky was quoted as saying on East Side Boxing.
"The choice was easy, I picked the second option. The fight will be in Russia. We will be very happy to extend a warm welcome to Deontay Wilder and his team.
No date has been set for Wilder-Povetkin as of yet, but it's expected to be held in Moscow. The fight will mark Wilder's fourth heavyweight title defense and come against a fighter in Povetkin who has looked like a much improved pugilist since his sole defeat to Wladimir Klitschko in 2013.