By Rick Reeno

Bernd Boente, manager of WBO/IBO/WBA/IBF champion Wladimir Klitschko (60-3, 51 KOs), advised BoxingScene.com that there are "many issues" still outstanding with respect to a mandatory fight with Alexander Povetkin (26-0, 18 KOs). The fight is scheduled for October 5th in Moscow, Russia.

The two sides have until June 7th to finalize the fight per the regulations of the WBA. Russian promoter Vladimir Hryunov won the WBA's purse bid with a financial figure of $23 million dollars. According to the WBA's split, Klitschko stands to receive $17 million dollars of that amount.

The two sides are still at odds over which organization will be used to drug test both boxers for performance enhancing drugs. Klitschko wants to use NADA [Nationale Anti Doping Agentur], based in Germany - while Povetkin's side wants to use RUSADA [Russian Anti-Doping Agency], which the Klitschko side rejected. Both NADA and RUSADA are affiliated with WADA [World Anti-Doping Agency].

Even if Povetkin decides to use RUSADA for himself, Klitschko's manager still wants him to be tested by NADA.

Besides the drug testing situation, there are numerous contractual issues related to money, officials and several other areas. The only item both sides have agreed upon, says Boente, is having Klitschko walk to the ring last.

At best, Boente feels the chances of the fight actually happening is "50-50."

"We have no agreement at the moment on the whole contract. There are many issues about the financial flow, the situation with the ring doctors, the local commission...many issues. All of the issues that you can imagine in a boxing fight. I think at the moment, at the best I would say the fight is 50-50," Boente told BoxingScene.com.

"I spoke to different people and they also agreed - why would I want RUSADA for Povetkin because NADA has the best reputation in the whole world. Why would I not also want Povetkin to only be tested by best organization, because then NADA would be the only doping test organization for the whole fight. I would prefer that. To each journalist I talk to and every person I speak to in the testing [industry], they would tell you that NADA's testing laboratory in Cologne is the best in the world." 

"As I said before the [drug testing] is not the only issue. There are issues with the financial flow, the ring doctors, [issues with] everything. Nothing is really clear, except that Wladimir as the super champion is entering the ring last, and that's about the only thing that is really clear. Let's see what this week brings because the deadline is by the end of the week. If we do not have an agreement there, then we will see."

"As I have always said, a big purse is never the reason to take a fight, because the Klitschkos have a lot more to lose - meaning their reputation and their name. Either we feel safe and expect a fair and clean fight, and we feel 100% safe about all of these points that are unclear, and I mean 100% that we are safe and secure - then we will not accept the fight. Even if we are at 99%, we will not accept."