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.
Alexander Povetkin
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
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."...
