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Lennox Lewis: Alexander Povetkin has advantage over Deontay Wilder

Deontay Wilder, Lennox Lewis, Artur Szpilka

Lennox Lewis believes Deontay Wilder could struggle when he takes on Alexander Povetkin in Russia.

The former undisputed heavyweight world champion is leaning towards the challenger when current WBC holder Wilder puts his belt on the line.

Povetkin (30-1-KO22) is the mandatory challenger and after his team won the purse bids, the fight will take place in Russia.

And while Wilder (36-0-KO35) has said he is happy to fight him anywhere, Lewis - who held the WBC title in two stints between 1993 and 2003 - is leaning towards the challenger.

He tweeted: "Advantage Povetkin. Much more experience and too many weaknesses in Deontays game worry me. His power can bail him out tho."

Alexander Povetkin
Image: Alexander Povetkin is the mandatory WBC heavyweight challenger

Lewis was ringside for Wilder's last win over Artur Szpilka in January, at the Barclays Center in New York.

The Bronze Bomber wanted to stay in America for his fourth defence but even though a date and venue is yet to be confirmed, he is not worried about heading into Povetkin's back-yard.

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Deontay Wilder
Image: Deontay Wilder says he has no problem going to Russia

"If we got to go to Russia, let's go," he told Premier Boxing Champions. "I'm prepared to fight anywhere. It's not going to matter to me at all."

"But they're going to a whole lot of trouble for nothing. I'm on a mission to be the undisputed champion. 

"I don't care who he is or where I have to go. I'm a different kind of fighter; I'm a different breed. Going to Russia don't intimidate me."

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Deontay Wilder blasted Artur Szpilka away with Lennox Lewis watching on

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