By Tim Parsons-
U.S world champion Deontay Wilder, launched a verbal attack on Russia and Russian athletes that would have got Russian authorities angry.
The WBC champion branded them “untrustworthy” and a “different breed of people,” without going into details as to what he meant.
Wilder’s comments came in relation to the heavyweight fight between Canadian heavyweight boxer, Bermane Stiverne and Russian fighter Alexander Povetkin, taken place in Ekaterinburg on Saturday.
Wilder expressed doubt that Canadian boxer Bermane Stiverne will get a fair shot at the interim WBC title against Povetkin because the fight will be on the Russian’s home turf.Wilder himself had been due to fight Povetkin last May in Russia, but the fight fell through after samples from a urine sample of Povetkin revealed a banned substance.
Povetkin was temporarily prevented from fighting until further investigations into the alleged dope cleared him and re-instated his place.
Stiverne briefly held the WBC belt before losing it on points to Deontey Wilder in January 2014. He hopes to beat Povetkin for another crack at the WBC belt he once held. However, Wilder is doubtful he will get a fair deal, in the process branding Russians “untrustworthy” , claiming the location of the fight will favour Povetkin
“If it’s in [Russia], Povetkin’s gonna win it,” Wilder told BoxingScene.com.
“No doubt in my mind. I know in this heavyweight division, it just takes one punch. But there’s a lot going on in this boxing game, especially with these Russians, man.
“Time after time you see them [Russians], especially in 2016, it’s been a global thing with them. Especially with the Olympics, with the cheating and stuff like that. You just can’t trust them. You just can’t trust them. In boxing, this sport, you really can’t trust nobody. But they’re a different breed of people,” he added.
With the tense relations between American and Russia politically, Wilder’s comments could not have come at a worse time. The problem with his comments is that on paper and on the evidence of both fighters, Povetkin is the more dangerous fighter who is more likely to get the victory. Stirvene has what it takes to potentially beat Povetkin, but the Russia is the more capable fighter. Secondly, the only issue of the location of the fight favouring Povetkin is if the fight goes the distance.
However, there is nothing to suggest it will go the distance, a stoppage is quite probable for this fight.
Wilder’s comments will most definitely annoy Povetkin and play a significant role in a fight between Wilder and the Russian, if Povetkin is victorious on Saturday.
Wilder is currenty unbeaten in 36 fights, with 35 of them coming by knock out. He is regarded by many as the biggest puncher in the division, and is also the no heavyweight in the worldat the moment.
The American has expressed a desire to fight the winner of Anthony Joshua v Wladimir Klitschko in April, with boxing fans really expecting Joshua to beat Klitschko and step up to meet Wilder.
It might still be a step up too soon for Joshua if he beats Klitschko, as it will depend on how competitive a fight with Klitschko turns out to be. A quick blow out of Klitschko for Joshua, will be impressive but not enough to prepare him for a big puncher with almost twice the experience of Joshua, like Wilder, who is also in his prime.