Photo: Naoki Fukuda

Deontay Wilder and mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin are in talks for a May 21st title fight at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, promoter Lou DiBella told RingTV.com on Thursday.

DiBella said he spoke with Russian promoter Andrey Ryabinski about the framework of a deal for the WBC heavyweight title fight and is waiting to hear back.

Wilder, the WBC champion, has repeatedly said he won’t vacate the title and welcomes the challenge of facing Povetkin.

“I got Alexander Povetkin lined up,” Wilder told RingTV.com earlier this month. “That’s what I know of right now. I want to get Povetkin out of the way.”

Povetkin (30-1, 22 knockouts) is the No. 2-rated heavyweight in THE RING’s ratings while Wilder (36-0, 35 KOs) sits at No. 3. Povetkin’s lone loss came against Wladimir Klitschko via a decision in 2013.

Povetkin was ringside at Barclays Center last month when Wilder crushed Artur Szpilka with a right hand to end their bout in the ninth round. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has said that if a deal cannot be brokered in the voluntary negotiation phase between the Wilder and Povetkin camps, a purse bid will take place on Feb. 26.