By Gregory Strangit

Canadian heavyweight Bermane Stiverne (25-2-1, 21KO) is prepared for a tough fight on December 17 in Yekaterinburg, when he collides with Russia's Alexander Povetkin (30-1-0, 22KO).

Their fight has been set down as a WBC final eliminator with the interim-world title at stake. The winner will get a mandatory title shot at WBC king Deontay Wilder.

"Russia is a beautiful country. As for the weather, I'm used to such a climate because I lived in Canada. This is something that I've seen before. Frankly, I was in Canada for a long time, but now I am constantly in Las Vegas and Miami - but I knew what to expect before I came here," Stiverne said.

Stiverne says he worked heavily in camp on his stamina to be properly prepared for a long, hard fight, but he also wants to end the fight early to avoid the possibility or an unjust decision.

"I had to work on endurance. I had to pour more fuel into my tanks. I worked on it. I have to be in good physical shape in order to win, to do it with confidence. We - along with my trainers did everything we planned - to have enough power for all 12 rounds. But as I said earlier, I do not plan to box for 12 rounds and I'm going try to finish the fight early. I know that Povetkin is a very talented fighter and you have to be ready for anything," Stiverne said.

"I have only one goal - to re-enter the ring with Wilder. I wasn't even interested in the title, I just want another fight with him. The way I lost to him ... I will say this, this is not a loss that I can accept. I was out of shape, and I have something for him in a rematch. But right now my goal is to beat Povetkin, so all my thoughts are only about this fight. I circled the entire globe, and I did not come here to lose."

Gregory Stangrit covers boxing for Allboxing.ru