By John F. McKenna (McJack): ESPN is reporting that world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (56-3, 49 KO’s) will fight either in November or December. Klitschko manager Bernd Boente told ESPN that Wladimir will fight for sure before the end of the year.

Klitschko pitched a near shutout in his latest fight against David Haye on July 2. The Haye fight was a big disappointment for boxing fans who had expected far more from the trash talking Haye. Fans were especially annoyed at the “Hayemaker’s” unwillingness or inability to engage Wladimir.

It has become increasingly difficult to line up title fights with legitimate and worthy opponents who have name recognition to challenge the Klitschko’s. More than one opponent has backed out of a title fight in which they stood to make huge amounts of money fighting one of the Klitscho’s. Newly crowned WBA “regular” heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin backed out of a title fight with Wladimir Klitschko in 2009 when trainer Teddy Atlas deemed him not to be ready for a shot at Wlad’s title. Nikolai Valuev also turned down a fight with WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko when he complained that he would not receive adequate compensation for the fight. Part of the problem has been that for the past several years both Wladimir and Vitali have been competing for challengers to their titles and there simply are not enough quality challengers to go around.

“We are still discussing names of different opponents,” said Boente. The fight may take place in Germany, where Klitschko has had most of his major fights, although a definitive location and venue has still not been determined. In any case the fight will be held in the European time zone according to Boente.

Boente also said that he would be agreeable to HBO televising Wladimir’s next match. HBO aired Klitschko’s July 2 fight with Haye, which was held in Hamburg, Germany.
HBO will also televise Vitali Klitschko’s September 10 bout with Polish idol Tomasz Adamek in Wroclaw, Poland.

In the event that a deal cannot be worked out with HBO for Vladimir’s next defense, it is possible that arrangements can be made with Showtime or Epix. German network RTL, which has contractual arrangements with the Klitschko’s has offered four possible dates for Wladimir’s next fight: November 19, December 3, December 10 and December 17.

Wladimir’s next opponent will more than likely be announced soon to allow the pre fight hype to begin.