Thursday 10 March 2016 19:21, UK
Deontay Wilder's world heavyweight title defence against Alexander Povetkin will take place in Russia.
The WBC champion wanted to box mandatory challenger Povetkin in Brooklyn, New York, only for promoter Andrey Ryabinsky of World of Boxing to win the purse bids.
And the Russian has confirmed that Wilder (36-0-KO35) will have to travel to meet Povetkin (30-1-KO22) on his home soil.
Wilder had demanded an April showdown but no date has been confirmed yet, although it is expected to take place in Moscow.
"I had a few options: to make a ton of money, or to create a comfortable environment for Alexander," Ryabinsky was quoted as saying on East Side Boxing.
"The choice was easy, I picked the second option. The fight will be in Russia. We will be very happy to extend a warm welcome to Deontay Wilder and his team.
"I don't know who will come out victorious but I want to be sure that I did everything that I could. Everything else depends on Alex."
It will be Wilder's second fight in Europe after knocking out Audley Harrison in the first round at the Sheffield Arena on an Amir Khan bill in April 2013.
The 'Bronze Bomber' will be making the fourth defence of his WBC belt, while Povetkin defended a version of the WBA title on four occasions before suffering his only defeat against Wladimir Klitschko in 2013.
