Ex-WBA champion Alexander Povetkin, who is currently the WBC mandatory challenger, faces giant Pole Mariusz Wach on Wednesday night in Kazan ahead of a stipulated encounter with Wilder in the mid-part of 2016.
Povetkin is thought to have chosen Wach specifically in preparation for taking on Wilder as both are the same height and similar in build, although the ‘Bronze Bomber’ was adamant that his Russian rival made a wrong choice when addressing the imminent world title warm-up on Monday.
“I don’t think this is a good fight for Povetkin,” Wilder exclusively told World Boxing News.
“Obviously, there’s talk about him wanting to fight me, but I think Mariusz Wach has one of the best chins in the division and I definitely don’t believe that Povetkin is going to knock him out.
“I’ve heard that Povetkin wanted Wach as some kind of resemblance to me and that is a big mistake because Mariusz Wach and I are two different fighters with two different styles. Everything about it is totally different, but we’ll see what happens and go from there.”
On the possibility of facing Wach should Povetkin fail to overcome the former Klitschko foe, Wilder replied: “I’m not sure. I mean if Povetkin wins, that would definitely be the guy that I will be facing, but I think if Mariusz Wach wins I don’t know where that would place him (in the rankings).”
Wilder, 30, has already defended the coveted green belt in his possession on two occasions since claiming the title against Berman Stiverne last January, but explained to WBN that he is looking to take another fight before any potential mandatory bout with Povetkin.
“I’m looking to have another fight sometime soon,” confirmed Wilder. “Povetkin will be my next fight after that if he wins, but I’m not going to sit still for nobody. That’s not what I’m going to do and I’m hoping to fight in January.
“I’m not going to sit around and wait for these guys to fight and then sit back (until he’s ready). I won’t let nobody tell me I can’t fight. I’m the champion and we are going to fight as much as we want to,” he added.
Povetkin v Wach will be streamed live on WBN this Wednesday. Click here for details.
