By Mark Vester
The goal for the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali, is to unify the entire heavyweight division. They are nearly at the point of reaching that goal. Wladimir holds the WBO/IBF versions of the heavyweight title, while older brother Vitali claimed the WBC belt from Vitali last October. The only remaining title, from the WBA, is held by seven-foot Nikolai Valuev. The Klitschkos claim that Valuev's co-promoters, Don King and Wilfried Sauerland of Sauerland Event, are preventing the fight from taking place.
"Around the world fans and experts want to see this fight," Vitali Klitschko said to the AP. "But these promoters are doing everything to make sure that this fight doesn't go ahead."
Vitali would fight Valuev with a 50-50 split. The most important thing is to bring the belt to the family.
Because of their upcoming commitments, a Valuev clash against either Klitschko would not happen until the later part of the year. Vital defends against mandatory Juan carlos Gomez in March. Wladimir will face David Haye or Chris Arreola, with date landing somewhere between April and June. Valuev himself has a mandatory obligation to fight Ruslan Chagaev, the WBA's champion in recess.
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