Philippines, 09 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


BERMANE STIVERNE AND ALEXANDER POVETKIN TO FIGHT FOR WBC INTERIM HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE

PhilBoxing.com


WINNER WILL BE NEXT IN LINE TO FIGHT WBC CHAMPION DEONTAY WILDER

Democratic Republic of Congo - Formerly Zaire, And the Philippines Among Possible Hosts

DEERFIELD BEACH, FL - The top two ranked heavyweights by the World Boxing Council (WBC), No. 1 Alexander Povetkin and No. 2 Bermane Stiverne, have recently been ordered to fight for the interim WBC heavyweight title. The winner will become the interim champion and will defend the title until champion Deontay Wilder, is ready to come back from the injuries sustained in July.

"I would like to thank Don King and the honorable Mauricio Sulaiman of the WBC for giving me this opportunity to fight for the heavyweight title once again," said Stiverne. "For the betterment of boxing in general, and the heavyweight division in particular, I plan to knock Povetkin out and bring this title to America. Then I will get my revenge against Wilder, when he is ready."

Promoter Don King has been fielding calls from interested parties from all over the world that want to host this World Heavyweight Championship fight that will take place by the end of 2016.

Don King lists the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Philippines, the two locations of the most famous Muhammad Ali fights, at the top of the list of possible sites. Kuala Lumpur is also among international possibilities and of course United States boing hotbeds New York and Las Vegas are sure to be in the mix as well.

"This sparked the idea to do something fantastic by memorializing 'The Greatest of All Time' Muhammad Ali, to the benefit of the people.," said King "So, reflecting on my memories and my historical association with The Greatest...Ali, we, his spirit and I, seized upon the idea to create A Salute to Greatness Championship Series by celebrating and paying homage to great boxing champions of the world and paying tribute to great champions of humanity and peace for the world in the spirit of Muhammad Ali, Nelson Mandela, George W. Bush, Shimon Perez, Uri Savir, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson, Anwar Sadat, Jimmy Carter, Jose Sulaiman (WBC) and Hugo Chavez. We will spotlight countries that four decades ago held the most memorable heavyweight fights in history. We will visit new countries that maybe able to have that same impact on, to gain international fame and acclaim, catapulting the name of their country to the forefront of world recognition."

"We want to bring the world together," King concluded. "I have been taking calls, for weeks, from interested parties and we will consider all options. We want to reverse the affects that war, hatred, bombs and bullets have had ...and with love, respect, harmony and togetherness we can make a better world."

"I want to thank the WBC and its President Mauricio Sulaiman for this." said King.

Bermane Stiverne (25-2-1, 21 KOs), born in Haiti now residing in Las Vegas, won the WBC heavyweight title on May 10, 2014 by 6th round TKO against Chris Arreola. Stiverne knocked Arreola to the canvas twice in that round when referee Jack Reiss waved the count to end the fight. Stiverne lost the title via unanimous decision to Deontay Wilder on January 17, 2015. Stiverne followed that disappointing loss with a win against Derric Rossy on November 4, 2015 to vault him back to top contender and in position for the title.

Alexander Povetkin (30-1, 22 KOs) from Chekhov Russia is the current WBC Silver Heavyweight Champion and former WBA Heavyweight Champion. Povetkin won the WBA title via unanimous decision win against Ruslan Chagaev on August 27, 2011. Povetkin had four successful defenses over a two-plus-year reign prior to a losing the belt against Vladimir Klitschko on October 5th 2013. Povetkin responded to that unanimous decision loss by stringing together four consecutive wins including winning the WBC Silver belt, which represents the No. 1 ranking.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • WEIGH IN RESULTS IGLESIAS VS SILYAGIN - TOMORROW NIGHT IN MONTREAL!
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Kristian Prenga Headlines “Crossroads in Brick City” on June 6 in Newark
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Macala, Silva, Lopez to play in 14th Atty. Jong Guevarra Cup
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Former World Champion Miguel Berchelt Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in  Las Vegas
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Sem Japet Enano Stuns Hometown Favorite Tyrell Adams to Claim IBO Oceania Featherweight Title
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • IBF lightweight eliminator tops IBA.PRO 17 card in Ufa
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Biasong fights Bustrillo on April 18 in Bukidnon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 08 Apr 2026
  • Olmillo fights Boquiren on April 18 in RFL
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 08 Apr 2026
  • Overweight Paradero cancels bout
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 08 Apr 2026
  • Biado's World 8-Ball Title Bid Ends
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 08 Apr 2026
  • WBC Champion Lester Martinez will be honored in Guatemala Congress
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 08 Apr 2026
  • Full Card Announced for this Saturday, April 11, Mielnicki Jr. vs. Huerta Event from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City & Live on ProBoxTV
    , Wed, 08 Apr 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 7 APRIL 2026: Santiago Retains WBA/WBO Titles in Tokyo; Taduran KOs Perez in 5; Price Decisions Aquino; Wins by Wilder, Bentley and Tim Tszyu
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • Carlo Biado is the last Filipino standing in the 2026 Yalin WPA Men's 8-Ball World Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • Unification next for Taduran?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • BEN WHITTAKER REPLACES INJURED CALLUM SMITH AS THE NEW MAIN EVENT FOR LIVERPOOL FIGHT NIGHT ON APRIL 18 – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • Filipino chess phenom triumphs at Krefelder Osteropen 2026 chess tournament in Germany
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • ProBoxTV Travels to Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, This Friday, April 10, as Hebert Conceicao Sousa Battles Power-Punching South American Johan Gonzalez in Middleweight Main Event
    , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • Yokasta Valle vs Lourdes Juarez for WBC Female world championship?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • GM Joey Antonio ties for 10th in Canberra chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • Canelo Expected to Return on September 15 in Riyadh
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • Ring Masters Championships 2026 Finals April 10 at Madison Square Garden
    , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • Jeffrey de Luna keep the Philippines alive in the 2026 Yalin WPA Men's 8-ball World Championship in St. Louis, Missouri, USA
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026
  • NOTHING BUT SPORTZ PRESENTS GAMBOA & RIGONDEAUX — MAY 2 IN MIAMI ONE NIGHT. SAME CARD. HAVANA HEAT
    , Mon, 06 Apr 2026
  • Wilkens Mathieu Against Olympic Medallist Esquiva Falcao at the Théâtre Capitole of Quebec City on June 11!
    , Mon, 06 Apr 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.