By Mark Vester

There appears to be trouble with the potential fall clash between WBO/IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko and IBF mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin. Bernd Bonte, Klitschko's manager, told writer Jonathan Lehman that negotiations with Povetkin's promoter, Sauerland Event, have hit a brick wall.

There appears to be a dispute over the purse split and the European broadcast rights. Klitschko has a deal with the RTL network, while Povetkin has a deal with ARD. If a deal is not made with Povetkin, the winner of the August 30 Nikolai Valuev vs. John Ruiz bout would be their next target.

Valuev is the favorite and Klitschko's team feel a bout with him would a major fight in the heavyweight division because Valuev, standing at 7'1, would be one of the few opponents bigger than the 6'6 Klitschko. Both fighters are very popular in Germany. But, Valuev is also a Sauerland fighter under contract with ARD. If something was able to get worked out, Bonte says the fight would be a lock to happen.

"We would sign that right away," said Bonte.

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