(Photo credit: Sumio Yamada) By Scott Gilfoid: WBC #1 mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin will have to wait for his title shot against WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (34-0, 33 KOs) a little while longer, as Wilder will be taking a voluntary defense on September 26th in California, Las Vegas or Biloxi, Mississippi, according to CBS Sports. The leading candidates for Wilder’s next title defense is Tony Thompson (40-5, 27 KOs) and Chris Arreola (36-4, 31 KOs).
Those are two good solid fringe contenders that are capable of beating a lot of the top heavyweights in the division on a good day. The Povetkin fight will likely take place in 2016 for Wilder, although the negotiations will start by October.