By Andrei Kartashov, tass

According to World of Boxing CEO Andrey Ryabinsky, who promotes former world champion and Olympic gold medal winner Alexander Povetkin, he is targeting a mandatory showdown with WBC world champion Deontay Wilder in the spring of 2017.

On December 17th in Russia, Povetkin will take part in a mandatory WBC eliminator with another former world champion, Bermane Stiverne.

The World Boxing Council ordered Povetkin and Stiverne to face each other to establish a mandatory challenger to Wilder, who was recovering from injuries that were suffered in his last fight. Wilder suffered a broken hand and a torn biceps muscle in his July knockout of Chris Arreola.

Povetkin was initially scheduled to face Wilder in May. The fight fell out when Povetkin tested positive for banned substance meldonium. The WBC completed an investigation and decided not to apply a suspension or fine on Povetkin. There is however an ongoing legal battle over the canceled event, with Wilder and his handlers filing a case against Povetkin and his promoter seeking damages for breach of contract. There is also a breach of contract counter-suit, with Ryabinsky and Povetkin going after Wilder and his team.

Drug testing agency VADA is in charge of the pre and post-fight drug testing for Povetkin and Stiverne.

"If everything progresses as planned, I think it will happen next spring, closer to the summer," Ryabinsky said. "We have a position:... We did what we had to do and now everything is in court."

As part of the WBC's order for Povetkin-Stiverne, Wilder was also given the option of a voluntary defense which is probably going to happen in the first quarter of the year.