By Vadim Pushkin, Video by Ryan Burton

Ivan Kirpa, trainer of Olympic gold medal winner Alexander Povetkin, says his boxer is expecting a tough bout with former world champion Bermane Stiverne, who is based in Las Vegas.

The World Boxing Council ordered a mandatory showdown, between Povtekin and Stiverne, for the vacant WBC interim-heavyweight title. Povetkin and Stiverne have until September 17th to reach an agreement or the fight will be sent to a purse bid.

The current WBC heavyweight champion is Deontay Wilder (37-0, 36KOs), who is currently out of action as he recovers from multiple injuries that were suffered during July's TKO win over Chris Arreola.

Stiverne (25-2-1, 21KOs) has been out of the ring since last November when he got off the floor to win a ten round unanimous decision over Derric Rossy. Povetkin (30-1, 22KOs) has also been inactive since last November, when he stopped Mariusz Wach in the twelfth round.

Povetkin was due to face Wilder in May, but the fight was postponed when the former WBA 'regular' champion tested positive for a banned substance. The World Boxing Council began an investigation which carried on for several months before ruling that Povetkin was capable of fighting for the interim-title.

"Stiverne is a very good fighter. Alexander also understands that this will be a difficult fight. There are no more simple fights. To be at the top of the ratings, the boxers who are there put in the work to get there and they deserve this position, so we can not relax. We know Stiverne - he is a very serious fighter and we are seriously going to prepare for him," said Kirpa.

The location of the fight has yet to be established. Povetkin's promoter, Andrey Ryabinsky of World of Boxing, wants to stage it in the United States. Stivern's promoter Don King has discussed several possible locations, including Africa and the Philippines.