Alexander Povetkin (30-1, 22KOs) is getting pumped and getting his body in muscular form for his upcoming world title fight. The Olympic gold medal winner and former WBA 'regular' heavyweight champion is the mandatory challenger to WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (36-0, 35KOs). Photos by Viktor Sokolov.

The two sides are negotiating with a purse bid set for February 26th in Mexico City. Povetkin last fought in November when he stopped Polish contender Mariusz Wach in the twelfth round.

According to Povetkin's promoter, Andrei Ryabinsky, the two sides have yet to agree on whether or not the fight will take place in Russia or the United States. Ryabinksy and Povetkin are very open to the idea of staging this fight in American - if the terms make sense.

The entire landscape of the heavyweight division has changed after Tyson Fury defeated Wladimir Klitschko last November in Dusseldorf, Germany. Fury captured the IBO/IBF/WBA/WBO world titles. He has since been stripped of the IBF portion, which Charles Martin captured last month with a TKO of Czar Glazkov.

After he faces Wilder for the WBC title, Povetkin is very interested in facing Fury, Martin or even avenging his 2013 twelve round decision loss to Klitschko. Fury and Klitschko will battle in a very important rematch in May or June, which is when Povetkin's fight with Wilder is also expected to take place.