By Tim Kudgis

I recently had the opportunity to speak with undisputed heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko about the potential showdown with WBA "regular champion" Alexander Potvekin.  He spoke about his frustrations with the last two occasions these men were schedule to meet as well as his respect for Povetkin but lack of faith in his team.  Here is what Wladimir had to say on his interest with finally meeting Povetkin in the ring:

"I have a great interest [in facing him].  I need to say that the way his guys are handling is frustrating and laughable on my side.  I believe his purse the first time was 3.2 million and the second time it was 4 million which I believe is a great amount of money to make the fight.  I remember when I was supposed to fight Povetkin the first time in 2010 I think maybe it was 2011 but i think it was 2010 I was expecting him at the press conference, or at least one of his representatives.  It was just so disrespectful to not show up at the press conference.  I'm sorry, we are professionals.  We are in a sport where we have a chance to get a lot of money and get paid.  You have to have respect to come or send a representative to make a statement about what has happened."

"Instead I did not see any managers and I did not see any promoters.  I am not blaming Alexander, I heard he is a good guy.  I never met him but I heard he is a good guy but the people around him like his promoter it was just something ridiculous.  I did almost everything to make it happen but at the end of the day I did not see any of the guys at the press conference.  No coach showed up.  His managers are German and it was in Germany in Frankfurt.  They could have at least took a train or a cab just to get to Frankfurt and show up.  I am really not happy about that so of course I am looking forward to fighting this guy."

"The statements that they make just show they are not serious.  I am really concerned again that I will waste my time.  We will negotiate and then we are going to win the purse again.  Then again nobody is going to show up at the press conference.  I really am kind of frustrated with this think but like i said i am really looking forward to this fight.  I think and I hope that it is eventually going to happen.  Boxing fans know the history of me and Povetkin and as I said before I respect him as a fighter, he is an Olympic champion and WBA regular champion.  I respect him as a fighter and as a person even if I never met him.  I am just really concerned about the team that works for him.  I was frustrated last time but I hope the fight is going to happen of course. "

Tim Kudgis is a co-host/producer of ATG RADIO which airs every Monday & Wednesday from 7-9pm PST on ATGRADIO.com.  He also proudly covers the AZ Boxing scene for BoxingScene.com.