Two biggest Russian promoters World of Boxing and RCC Boxing will promote the show. The WBO International belt will be on the line. The opponent will be announced soon.
Christian Hammer and Tom Schwarz are the most likely candidates. Briggs was in talks with Povetkin but they failed to come to an agreement.
99.99% certain it's Hammer. Povetkin will jump to the top in both IBF, WBA and WBO rankings when he KTFO Hammer.
Zhang Zhilei had an offer from Povetkin's camp as well, so we will see. Zhilei has a possible fight with Parker but that has failed to materialise before, so don't hold your breath over it. Zhilei would be a good fight for Povetkin.
Hammer had an offer from Povetkin's camp but his promoter was talking about Hammer moving down to cruiserweight division, so who knows.
That would be a stupid move. There is no money there and he won't be in the top 10. As limited as he is, he is actually close to a title shot or a big pay out. If he fights Povetkin, he will probably receive a career highest offer so that's where the money is.
Talking about Hammer, how long does he have to wait if his L result to Fury gets resolved? There's where it all started.
Agreed, and the only sanctioning body Briggs is ranked with is the WBA which Povetkin almost certainly wouldn't be made mandatory for due to their agreement with the inactive dinosaur Oquendo as well as Ortiz's longstanding wait as #1 contender. Hammer is not only one of the better fighters available but there's also a high chance that a win would make Povetkin the WBO mandatory for next year, maybe even IBF too. Sasha KO. Still the #2 HW IMO until one of Ortiz/Wilder/Parker beats a name that proves otherwise.