Perez and Povetkin go head to head

The titanic heavyweight clash between big-hitters Alexander Povetkin and Mike Perez to see who will be next up for a shot at Deontay Wilder’s WBC title will be screened live and exclusive on BoxNation on May 22.

The pair meet at Luzhniki Arena in Moscow as they compete in a final eliminator for a chance to fight for the illustrious WBC green belt which was captured by the flashy and charismatic Wilder earlier this year when he overcame the brave Bermane Stiverne.

Povetkin and Perez, rated number one and two respectively by the WBC, are two of the very best heavyweights around and share only a single defeat each on their records, with 35-year-old Povetkin’s coming against the legendary Wladimir Klitschko two years ago.

Now though, having accumulated 28 wins in 29 fights, 20 from knockout, the sturdy Povetkin will be fighting in front of his home fans as he takes on the well schooled Cork based Cuban Perez who has 21 victories, with his one loss a narrow split decision to Bryant Jennings.

Wilder is expected to fight this summer and should he come through unscathed it would set up an intriguing battle with either man later this year.

The heavyweight division has been on the rise of late with an injection of talented new blood who are eager to put an end to the past decade of Klitschko brother dominance.

Following the retirement of older sibling Vitali, who held the WBC belt, Wladimir is still flying the flag but is set to face British heavyweight sensation Tyson Fury next up.

In other action on the Povetkin-Perez card, WBC cruiserweight champion Grigory Drozd (39-1, 27 KOs) will be facing former champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (49-3, 35 KOs), with the two having met last September in a fight which Drozd won on points.

Other bouts include 2008 Olympic gold medalist Rakhim Chakhkiev (22-1, 17 KOs) against Mirko Larghetto (22-1-0, 14 KOs) and fearsome knockout artist Dmitry Kudryashov (17-0, 17 KOs) is up against fellow cruiserweight Vikapita Meroro (28-4, 14 KOs).

Also, former heavyweight title challengers Manuel Charr (27-3, 16 KOs) and Alex Leapai (30-6-3, 24 KOs) clash in a crossroads contest.

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Is there enough Hyperbole in that?

It's a press release what do you expect?

I wasn't going to watch....but then a press release used strong adjectives and now nothing will stop me from donating my own organs just to hear a partially sighted man describe the momentous events that will unfold.

Povetkin should be too good for Perez. The Charr fight will probably be a good watch.

Don't have boxnation though so won't be watching, shame.

Charr is a level above Leapai.

Povetkin should win but it'll probably go 12 given Perez's hard head.

Povetkin-Wilder is a fight I'd like to see actually...

Agree that Povetkin should take this, and by a margin, although I will be surprised if Perez is not still standing at the end of 12 rounds. Still, being the heavies, it'll be interested to see what happens if Perez does get through with his heavy hands - Povetkin can go down, but only if pushed *ahem*

Charr - Leapai does look interesting though. Leapai has been known to upset the apple cart, and it'll be interesting to see just how much the Povetkin KO took out of Charr as it was pretty substantial.

Not a bad fight as far as heavyweights go these days.