By Luke Furman
Wealthy Russian businessman Andrei Ryabinski is ready to match financial figures in an explosive purse bid with powerful manager/adviser Al Haymon.
Ryabsinki, who is the CEO of the World of Boxing promotional company in Russia, will do everything possible to secure Alexander Povetkin (29-1, 21 KOs) his mandatory shot at WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (34-0, 33KOs).
Povetkin will first take on Polish giant Mariusz Wach (31-1, 17 KOs) on November 4th.
After the fight with Wach, the full focus will be on getting Wilder in the ring. Wilder is back on September 26th against French contender Johann Duhaupas.
"The negotiations are very difficult. In my opinion, they want to avoid this fight and sometimes we don't even know what they mean. So we will try to buy it," Ryabinski said.
Back in 2013, Ryabinski bid down $23 million dollars to outbid K2 Promotions and Sauerland Event - securing the promotional rights to Povetkin's fight with Wladimir Klitschko.
This time around the bidding may reach that huge financial figure once again, with Ryabinski saying - "we are ready for that."
"In October we have to start negotiations. However, I have assurances from the WBC that after his voluntary defense in September, Wilder will no longer be able to [have voluntaries] and has to defend against Povetkin."
The two sides will have 30 days to reach a deal once the negotiations begin in October and then the WBC will call for a purse bid.
Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org.
