Vladimir's brother Vitali, who was this month crowned WBC heavyweight champion after a ninth-round technical knock-out of Nigeria's Samuel Peter, had said that they did not want the fight going ahead as initially planned in Kiev so as not to provoke "the extreme right".

Vladimir Klitschko goes into the fight with a record of 48 wins from 51 fights, 45 by knock-out. Povetkin, Olympic champion at the 2004 Athens Games, is unbeaten in 16 contests with 12 knockouts.

"He is a tough opponent who I definitely won't underestimate," said Klitschko. "The fans will see an awesome fight, but there will be no doubt I will win."

The Ukrainian, who also holds the WBO and IBO heavyweight belts, has won 51 fights with 45 knock-outs and three defeats.

Povetkin said: "I will snatch the world championship belt from Klitschko. I am the future."