By Luke Furman
Russian promoter Vladimir Hryunov says the upcoming battle between WBO/IBO/WBA/IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (60-3, 51KOs), and WBA "regular" champion Alexander Povetkin (25-0, 17KOs), was well worth the $23.2 million dollars that he bid to secure the promotional rights.
Hryunov is targeting the fight for a September date in Russia at the Olympiyskiy stadium, which holds over 70,000 fans. Hryunov is putting the show together with Russian businessman Andrei Ryabinsky.
Povetkin is going to make a own voluntary defense against Polish opponent Andrzej Wawrzyk on May 17 in Russia.
"23 million dollars is a lot of money, but you have the two best fighters in the heavyweight division right now [facing each other], Klitschko against Povetkin. Of course it's a lot of money, but it's a huge fight for boxing right now. We tried to make this [before] but this time I think we'll make the fight. How many people have been waiting for Pacquiao against Mayweather? A lot, everybody. Everybody wants to watch the fight between Povetkin and Klitschko. I think there is no risk," Hryunov said.
Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org