By Jake Donovan

Alexander Povetkin seeks another shot at heavyweight glory, while Mike Perez is given one more chance to crack into the upper echelon of boxing’s most historically storied division. The two contenders collide Friday evening in Moscow, Russia. The winner gets a crack at unbeaten heavyweight titlist Deontay Wilder.

Povetkin (28-1, 20KOs) suffered his lone career loss at the hands of World heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko more than 18 months ago, having rebounded with two straight wins. The former titlist has remained near the top of the division, on the strength of knockout wins over Manuel Charr and Carlos Takam in a strong 2014 campaign.

The loss to Klitschko ended his run as a secondary titlist, an honor he earned back in Aug. ’11 with a win over Ruslan Chagaev. Four defenses followed, though more importantly also a reputation as the leading challenger to the heavyweight thrown.

A win on Friday will confirm his deserving to remain in such a position.

Perez (21-1-1, 13KOs) appeared to be well on his way, until forced to cope with the mental anguish that came with his near-fatal win over Magomed Abdulsalamov. Their Nov. ’13 bout was his debut on HBO, though the fight’s aftermath put into question whether or not he could move past the fate of his fallen opponent and show his capabilities as a top contender.

It didn’t happen in a 10-round draw with Carlos Takam last January, a bout his team readily admits was too much too soon, having taken place just two months later. Six months later came the lone loss of his career, a competitive split decision defeat at the hands of eventual World title challenger Bryant Jennings last July.

Perez has since returned to the win column with a stay-busy 2nd round knockout win over Darnell Wilson in February.

BOXINGSCENE.COM STAFF PREDICTIONS: ALEXANDER POVETKIN vs. MIKE PEREZ

Ryan Burton (Povetkin UD): He's bigger and the better fighter. Perez may have a few a few moments early on but I expect zpovetkin to win a comfortable decision.

Jake Donovan (Povetkin late TKO): Disappointed with both fighters’ conditioning, but Perez will be worse for the wear. A boxing match becomes a slugfest, forced by Povetkin and carrying momentum into a strong finish to stop Perez on his feet late in the fight.

Takahiro Onaga (Povetkin UD): Perez hasn't looked good since the Magomedov fight, I think that still weigh heavily on him. Povetkin still top heavyweight and looking for another world title fight. Russian to be too good for the Cuban.

Cliff Rold (Povetkin KO): Perez will have good rounds and this could be bruising in the way Povetkin-Takam was. The gulf in class between the two favors the Russian and late it will tell.

Victor Salazar (Povetkin late TKO): A good heavyweight fight to determine Deontay Wilder’s next opponent. Povetkin still might be the best heavyweight in the business not named Klitschko and I see his pedigree outlasting Perez by stoppage late.

Reynaldo Sanchez (Povetkin UD): Nice bout, Perez has the chance to enter to the elites on this fight. Povetkin is a hard fighter and more experienced than Mike.

Alexey Sukachev (Povetkin KO9): Perez has never been stopped, so one should wonder why he will be stopped here. I'm not convinced he is in his best shape after the weigh-in, and he has problems with stamina. He will start fast, win the first several rounds but then Povetkin will slowly walk him down and finish off later on.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox