ALEXANDER POVETKIN will push for a mandatory world title shot against Tyson Fury if he beats Dillian Whyte in their November rematch.
The 41-year-old Russian upset the odds to deliver a stunning KO victory against Whyte in the fifth-round of their explosive August 22 clash.
Whyte had spent 1,000 days as the WBC’s mandatory contender, and victory would have set up a crack at unbeaten Fury and his famous green and gold strap.
But those plans came crashing down in devastating fashion, and it is Povetkin who is ready to take his chance against the Gypsy King.
Speaking to Sky Sports, ‘Sasha’s promoter Andrey Ryabinskiy said: “We will work in this direction.
“The fight for the world title is a big event in the career of any fighter, and with every reason for this.
“Of course we will seek a mandatory defence from the WBC.
“Champion, you say? Hadn’t lost yet? Does everyone consider him the strongest in the division? Then, of course.”
Fury of course has some of his own business to take care of, with the trilogy fight against Deontay Wilder rumoured to take place in December.
But the ongoing lack of crowds due to the coronavirus pandemic is proving to be problematic.
Las Vegas would have been the most likely destination for the scrap – but Frank Warren has confirmed other countries could now be considered in light of the pandemic.
But if Fury gets through that by beating the American for a second time, Povetkin could be next in line.
And the Russian veteran’s team are hopeful they could get that super-fight in their own back yard.
Ryabinskiy suggested the 80,000-seater Luzhniki Stadium, adding: “Why not? This is one of the possible locations.
“If such a fight takes place, it will really become an event in the boxing world, no matter where it takes place, in Russia or in any other country in the world.”
