By Ruslan Chikov
The "super champion" of the WBA, heavyweight Wladimir Klitschko, is not interested in a possible fight with Alexander Povetkin, who last Saturday in Germany captured the WBA's "regular" title with a twelve round decision over Ruslan Chagaev. Because Klitschko is the "super champion," he doesn't have to make a mandatory defense against Povetkin until March 2013. Klitschko's manager, Bernd Boente, told "Today" that based on Povetkin's past history, they don't trust making a fight with him.
"We have no interest in a fight with Povetkin. Twice he had to fight Wladimir, and both times it was his fault the fight was canceled. First, in 2008, he was injured, and then his trainer said that Povetkin wasn't ready for a fight with Klitschko [in 2010]. We can not trust him. Under the rules of WBA for a super champion, Wladimir has 20 months to conduct a mandatory defense. Which turns out - until March 2013," Boente said.
Not that it really matters, Povetkin and his team have other plans and Klitschko doesn't seem to be on their radar for the moment.