By Luke Furman
Russian promoter Vladimir Hryunov has promised to beat any and all offers, going full force to secure the promotional rights to the mandatory heavyweight showdown between WBO/IBO/WBA/IBF champion Wladimir Klitschko and Australian challenger Alex Leapai. The Aussie boxer has already been offered over seven figures by Klitschko's team. But, the boxer's trainer and agent, Noel Thornberry, says Hryunov's promise is likely going to send the fight to a purse bid.
"The offer from [Klitschko's agent Shelly] Finkel is well over seven figures,'' Thornberry said to the Courier Mail. "But the Russians seem totally determined to get this fight no matter what Finkel is offering. They've told me they want to bring Klitschko to Australia and the chance for Alex to tackle the biggest prize in world sport in front of all his family and friends is the clincher as far as we're concerned.
"Knocking back Klitschko's offer is a gamble but we think in the end Alex will get an even bigger payday and Australia could see him beat Klitschko in front of a home audience.''
Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org