Deontay Wilder States Alexander Povetkin Positive Drug Test Is Like Bringing A Knife To A Boxing Match

May 18. 2016

Deontay Wilder 

WBC heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder, has spoken out about the cancellation of his fight against challenger, Alexander Povetkin, due to his rival failing a drug test, regarding the banned performance enhancing drug, meldonium. Wilder stated, "This is already a put your life on the line type of sport," Wilder said. "This was like someone coming to a fight with a knife in their hands. I still wanted to fight. But at the end of the day I had to think about the repercussions behind it. We would be sending out a message that says it's OK to do this."

Wilder further stated, "The head is not meant to be hit in the first place but we're willing to do it to make money and provide for our family. But we never know if we're going to come out of the ring like we came into it. I'm just devastated. It hurts to put so much work into this, hours upon hours of training and sparring and then the traveling. To come up empty-handed is sad and sad for the sport. A lot of people missed out on a great fight."

Wilder’s team is mulling over their options, which may include a lawsuit against Povetkin and his promoter, Andrei Ryabinsky. Many companies have insurance. The offender pays a deductible (after paying the premium) if they are found to be in the wrong regarding an incident. However, if the insurance company determines the offender acted in a manner that was reckless, they will refuse to cover any litigation costs or settlements.

Technically, Povetkin breached contract. He was contractually obligated to show up to the fight and be free of steroids or any other encumbrances that would hamper the bout taking place as scheduled. Wilder upheld his portion of the contract. Therefore, it is not fair that he is penalized via losing millions of dollars, after an exhausting training camp that came out of his pocket.

Wilder should be paid at least $1,000,000 as he has lost the $4,500,000 purse and additional fees from broadcast rights and associated licensing deals. Povetkin’s team should financially compensate Wilder. As they say, "Time is money." Wilder could have fought someone else during that time period and made millions.

Wilder can quickly try to find another opponent, such as Kubrat Pulev, who is fresh off a victory against Dereck Chisora in Germany. There's also Joseph Parker and Luis Ortiz. He could also fight Bryant Jennings in America. However, the WBC is expected to name the mandatory boxer. On such short notice, it would require a good 2-months for a rival to prepare, as Wilder has a dangerous punch. However, it is better than waiting 6-months or more for another bout.

STORY SOURCE

Wilder on Povetkin doping: Like coming to fight with a knife

 May. 17, 2016 3:57 PM EDT - Deontay Wilder was willing to risk his heavyweight title and unbeaten mark against a hometown hero in Moscow. What he wasn't as willing to risk was having his brains scrambled by the fists of a doped-up Russian fighter. "This is already a put your life on the line type of sport," Wilder said. "This was like someone coming to a fight with a knife in their hands."

Wilder was training in England and about to take a plane to Moscow when his camp got word Sunday that Alexander Povetkin had tested positive to meldonium, the seeming drug du jour of Russian athletes. One of the better heavyweight matchups of the year was in limbo as Wilder's camp and the World Boxing Council tried to decide what to do. "I still wanted to fight," Wilder said. "But at the end of the day I had to think about the repercussions behind it. We would be sending out a message that says it's OK to do this."...

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