By Edward Chaykovsky

WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (36-0, 35KOs) is leaving no stone unturned as he prepares for his mandatory world title defense against Olympic gold medal winner Alexander Povetkin (30-1, 22 KOs).

The fight will take place on May 21 in Moscow, Russia. Wilder has fought outside of the United States in the past, but never as champion.

Povetkin, an Olympic gold medal winner and a former WBA champion, is the most dangerous and experienced opponent in Wilder's career.

The only boxer to defeat Povetkin is former heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko in 2013. The Russian fighter was dominated and dropped four times in the contest. Povetkin has won four bouts since, all by knockout.

Wilder was used by Klitschko as a sparring partner in 2012, when Wladimir was preparing for his title defense against Mariusz Wach.

In a minor twist, Wach was Povetkin's last opponent in November of 2015. Wach was stopped in the twelfth round of the fight.

Wilder, who stands at 6-foot-7, has retained his title three times since capturing the belt from Bermane Stiverne in January 2015.

He studied the fight between Klitschko and Povetkin and plans to use a similar strategy to take away Povetkin's strengths.

Wilder is going to be aggressive and he intends to fight tall, which is what Klitschko did when he faced Povetkin in the ring.

“Basically what Klitschko did to [Povetkin] is that he stayed tall and he was the more aggressive guy,” said Wilder to Premier Boxing Champions. “That’s what I’m planning to do is stay tall and be aggressive.

“But not only that, I’m more athletic and a lot faster than Klitschko. I promise you that Povetkin is definitely going to see a fighter that he’s never seen, that’s for sure.“