Deontay Wilder daring to go to Russia to defend heavyweight belt

Deontay Wilder says he takes seriously the “world” part of his title as heavyweight world champion, so going to the homeland of his May 21 Russian opponent Alexander Povetkin is just doing the job.

Alabama’s Wilder (36-0, 35 knockouts), in the fourth defense of his World Boxing Council heavyweight belt, will become the first American to defend his title in Russia when he meets Povetkin (30-1) at the Khodynka Ice Palace in Moscow. Showtime is working to finalize a deal to broadcast the bout.

The delay in the TV deal is but one of the chaotic situations involved in traveling to Russia, a sort-of real-life “Rocky IV” situation.

Povetkin’s promoter won the purse bid for the bout that otherwise would’ve been placed at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

“I always said that I’m heavyweight champion of the world. So that consists of defending my title all over the world,” Wilder said on a Wednesday conference call with reporters. “This is amazing … for two countries to come together like this and put on a fantastic heavyweight show. The heavyweight division is definitely back and it’s alive and well and I’m proud to say I’m one of the guys that’s leading this.

“I’m looking forward to carrying on -- building my legacy -- in Russia and gain me more fans. My goal is to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Nothing is going to get in my way. No fighter -- no matter what time, no matter what place we may be -- is going to stop me on my journey.”

Wilder finds himself in his division’s most compelling period in years. Power-punching 2012 Olympic gold medalist Anthony Joshua of England wears the International Boxing Federation belt, and his charismatic countryman, Tyson Fury, is heading to a July 9 rematch with the formerly long-reigning Wladimir Klitschko.

Wilder’s venture just adds to the drama. He’s aware of the horror stories, of a positive drug test taken from another visiting fighter, of logistical challenges in going to the former Soviet Union.

“I have great faith in my entire team,” Wilder said. “I know they’re going to do everything in their power to make sure that I’m comfortable there, make sure I’m secured and protected. My mind is straight-focused on this fight. I’m not going to get flustered by what happened to the next man. Not saying it can’t happen to me, but my job is to go over there, get in that ring and whoop his [rear].”

Wilder praised Povetkin because “most of all, he has heart. He’s determined. He’s willing to get in there. And he’s got his own country to perform for. That’s a lot of pressure on him -- to have his whole country and have the president -- whether he’s going to be there or whether he’s going to be on TV. That’s a lot of pressure for a guy to be facing -- to be facing another guy known for breaking people, known for putting people in the hospital. And this is not talk, these are facts.”