By Ruslan Chikov
In a recent interview with Reeklama, WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko discussed his meeting with Nikolai Valuev in St. Petersburg, Russia and the mandatory fight by his brother, Wladimir Klitschko, against Alexander Povetkin, set for the month of September in Germany.
Many experts have said Povetkin is in over his head in the fight with Klitschko. Vitali says Povetkin, unbeaten and an Olympic gold medal winner, will be a very tough opponent.
"I have already said that Alexander Povetkin is a very serious opponent. However, realistically assessing the situation, I can say that Povetkin's manager made a big mistake in his pursuit of a fight with the biggest financial compensation, because he threw him in there with the strongest heavyweight in Wladimir. It's highly likely that this fight will end in defeat for Alexander," Vitali said.
"Povetkin, of course, is a good fighter, and has a great technical arsenal, but he does not have that component, which in professional sports is the key. Whether he has the experience needed for victory, probably the bout with Wladimir will prove it. In my opinion, Alexander should have had at least fivemore matches and then go fight for the title of a world champion."
Vitali is trying to make his own battler with Valuev. They met in St. Petersburg recently where Vitali made him a face to face offer of $1.5 million. He says the longer Valuve thinks about the offer, the lower the offer will become.
"I am glad that the fight has generated interest among the public. But right now I can not say anything because the contract is not yet signed. I will only mention that during the meeting with Valuev, I realized that he wanted to fight. After all, when I made him an offer to fight six months ago, I had quite the opposite impression. He is never satisfied with the amount of money on the contract, then there were other reasons," Vitali said.
"With this fight, the amount will no longer be the one I suggested. He could have earned 2.5 million dollars, but now there is only 1.5 million in the fight and more Nikolai continues to think about it, the lower the amount will decrease. I hope to know something within a month."
