Klitschko manager: Vitali needs to fight David Haye next after Adamek

By Vitali Shaposhnikov Fritz Sdunek, Vitali Klitschko’s loyal long time trainer and friend, recently gave a German newspaper some of his time, talking about Vitali and his future boxing career. First of all, both Vitali and Sdunek respect Adamek much more than most fans do, and give him fair credit for his effort and achievements in the ring. "After my brother Wladimir and me, Adamek is the third best heavyweight in the world. He is definitely better than David Haye who is just a world champion in talking," Klitschko said. (http://www.phillyburbs.com/sports/boxing/vitali-klitschko-eager-to-show-he-s-the-best/article_7931530f-80b6-5b6e-8a92-272459775bcb.html). This is very formidable for the Vitali to say, showing that he would rank Adamek well above all other heavyweight champions and contenders out there right now. Personally, I would have no hesitation in agreeing with that statement. Adamek has certainly shown that he is capable of competing as a heavyweight and is ready for a title fight. As far as Vitali’s future, Sdunek had the following to say: “He's not getting any younger and his political activity in Ukraine requires a lot of time and energy. If I notice that he no longer has the reflexes, that he's taking more punches than usual, I would say, 'Vitali, stop.' I had to promise him that.” Here Sdunek gives it to us the way he sees it, expressing his dislike for Vitali’s politics getting in the way of his boxing at times. This of course is fairly understandable, as Sdunek’s only job is to prepare his fighter for the fight, and do it right. Interruptions are a boxing trainer’s splinters, and they all hate it the same (Freddie Roach had expressed this on more than one occasion to Manny Pacquiao and the cameras, once even threatening to leave their training camp in the Philippines). It’s true, Vitali is not getting any younger, and despite the fact that there are fighters like Bernard Hopkins who are capable of beating time itself as well as the aging process, they are scarce and most athletes are unable to compare. I am happy to see that Vitali and Sdunek made a pact, assuring Vitali’s retirement if he is no longer able to perform the way he should. I believe Sdunek to be a good and honest man, and am confident that he will stand by his promise to Vitali. But then Sdunek tosses us a double edged sword, praising Vitali for his improvements in boxing, and a tremendous shape that he is in: “(Vitali) has never been so fit. He is mentally and physically so strong, nothing can happen ... Vitali's getting better.” So apparently, despite the fact that Vitali is getting older with politics distracting him from boxing, he is still getting better all the way around; just like fine bourbon. When discussing Vitali’s future after (if) he beats Adamek this coming Saturday, Sdunek mentioned two potential names, and both would be extremely interesting to watch, as both would ultimately end up on the canvas against Vitali: “After he (Haye) only made an impression against Wladimir with his big mouth, he can prove whether he is a real man against Vitali. Another challenge would be (Nikolai) Valuev, the Russian giant ... It would be interesting to find out whether Vitali can send Valuev to the canvas.” I am sure many will argue that those are ridiculous choices that would produce dreadfully obvious results, and I agree; still it would be interesting to see if Haye can avoid a finger or toe injury this time, and to see how Vitali does against a physically bigger opponent in Valuev.