Wilder was due to fight Povetkin this weekend until the Russian was investigated over an alleged positive drugs test for meldonium. The World Boxing Council are currently in the process of weighing everything up regarding the situation, whilst a former opponent is keen to share the ring with Wilder in the interim.
Johann Duhaupas gave Wilder eleven tough rounds before being stopped last September, visibly marking up the American more than any other opponent before him.
According to his manager, Mehdi Ameur, the Frenchman now hopes that Povetkin’s loss can be his gain after picking up the WBC silver title with an impressive knockout win over Robert Helenius last month.
“Johann holds a title with the WBC and is ranked number four. He is ready to fight Deontay Wilder in Monaco or in the USA,” Ameur exclusively told World Boxing News.
“It will be a good rematch because the TV in France have signed a contract my company and Johann is a new fighter now. He is training very well with a physical trainer, and as you saw against Helenius, he has a real punch.
“I am sure Deontay doesn’t want to accept Johann’s offer because the last fight was dangerous for him and now Johann’s knows he can win, for sure.
“Johann spoke to me and said that he is ready to make this fight. He wants to become the first ever French world heavyweight champion and knows he can do that against Wilder,” he added.
