Sauerland: Klitschko Gave Povetkin a "Slave Contract"

By Ruslan Chikov

It was surpising to some, and not surprising to others, but the fight between WBO/IBO/IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko and mandatory Alexander Povetkin fell apart this week. Klitschko and his team have been fuming because Povetkin no-showed Monday's press conference in Frankfurt, Germany.

Povetkin's team gave prior notice of his no-show, telling Team Klitschko that a doctor advised Povetkin to avoid flying due a bad sinus infection. Klitschko shot back and pointed out how Povetkin was claiming to be ill, but had the energy to appear on American television shows, like ESPN's Friday Night Fights.

Klitschko's management approached the IBF and advised them that Povetkin no-showed the press conference and he also never signed the bout agreement despite repeated requests. Because of the situation with the no-show and the contract not being signed, the IBF allowed Klitschko to move forward on September 11 with the number two ranked challenger, Samuel Peter. Klitschko won a tough twelve round decision against Peter in 2005, but not before Peter knocked him down three times.

Povetkin's hall-of-fame promoter, Wilfried Sauerland of Sauerland Event, is very angry with the recent events. He said the bout agreement given to Povetkin was a "slave contract." He doesn't blame Povetkin for refusing to sign it. An interesting choice of words. WBA champion David Haye used the term "slave contract" when he received bout agreements to fight both Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko. Nikolai Valuev was also critical of the contract he received to fight Vitali in October.

"No wonder Alexander Povetkin did not sign the contract. It was one of the worst that I've seen in 35-years. A slave contract," Sauerland was quoted as saying by Russian reporter Alexander Pavlov.

Klitschko's manager, Bernd Böente, says the contents of the contract have nothing to do with their decision to move forward with Sam Peter. They are following the rules of the IBF.

"Mr. Sauerland can talk in that tone, but this has nothing to do with the contract contents. For us, it's about following the rules of the IBF," Böente said.