By Jim Dower: The IBF’s deadline passed for IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko to put together a unification bout with World Boxing Association heavyweight champion David Haye a few days ago. Wladimir and his management team will now start looking to put together a fight against the IBF mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin. Wladimir was hoping to put together a fight with the 29-year-old Haye. However, Haye wanted more time to spend with his family and rest. Klitschko’s management will continue to try and put together a fight between Haye in the future after Klitschko gets finished with his title defense against Povetkin, provided he beats the former Russian Olympic Gold Medalist.
Klitschko vs. Povetkin
Arum says Samuel Peter prepared to fight Wladimir Klitschko
By Eric Thomas: Top Rank promoter Bob Arum wants his fighter, former World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Samuel Peter (34-3, 27 KO’s), to fight IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (54-3, 48 KO’s) if the IBF mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin (19-0, 14 KO’s) doesn’t take the fight with Klitschko next, according to Fight News. Arum plans on making it so that Klitschko will have to fight Peter next if Povetkin doesn’t face Klitschko. The reason why Povetkin wouldn’t be facing Wladimir next would be if WBA heavyweight champion David Haye paid Povetkin a step aside fee, so that Haye could fight Wladimir before Povetkin.