Klitschko May Face Povetkin or Solis

Now that the potential matchup between Vitali Klitschko and former WBA heavyweight champion Nicolai Valuev has fell through, the WBC heavyweight champion Vitali is looking into potential matchups with the IBF mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin and the WBC #2 ranked Odlanier Solis.

As far as Alexander Povetkin, he is scheduled to be the current WBO/IBF/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko's mandatory challenger. However, Vitali thinks that if he were to give Povetkin a voluntary shot this would free up Wladimir from having to face 2 mandatory challenges in a row, and may allow Wladimir to face David Haye and prepare for a faster style.

“I have another voluntary defense and I want to fight against an interesting and exciting opponent. I will surely look into the possible fight with Povetkin. But I want to remind that again all the decisions will be taken by Sasha’s promoter Wilfried Sauerland. If we make an agreement with him – I will fight Povetkin. If we don’t agree – well, he’ll have to wait patiently for his turn."

The other alternative that Vitali is looking at is the WBC #2 ranked unbeaten Cuban contender Odlanier Soils. Solis is an interesting matchup because he defeated the WBA heavyweight champion David Haye back in the 2001 World Championships by 3rd round stoppage. David Haye has pulled out of 2 fights with both Klitschko brothers and both brothers have expressed desire to face Haye. So, this would make a good psychological warfare in Haye's mind if Vitali could defeat pretty convincingly a man who defeated him in the past.

Neither of these fights looks too attractive to me. Solis is the #2 WBC ranked challenger and guess who is ranked #1 and is supposed to have an eliminator with Solis? Ray Austin. Ya, that's the same guy that Vitali's brother Wladimir demolished in 2 rounds only using his left hand. If Vitali beats Solis you could expect a mandatory challenge from Austin which would be a total snooze fest. So hopefully Vitali at least waits unitl Solis beats Austin(which I think he will easily) then fights Solis as a possible 2nd fight this year after fighting someone else.

As far as Povetkin, well it's true that if Vitali beats Povetkin that will free up Wladimir having to face Povetkin, but what might happen, or what will most likely happen is that Vitali will win and HE WILL become the IBF mandatory. This will mean that Wladimir will have to face his own brother as a mandatory. This is something both brothers have expressed they will not due in the past. Have they reconsidered, or was Vitali overlooking that scenario if he beat Povetkin? Not sure, but whoever he fights I hope he fights soon. He is at the end of his career, and I as well as many fans would like to see him go out with a few more solid wins over some solid competition.

I think he should face Denis Boystov. Boystov is ranked in the WBC, and they should be able to make negotiations easily as I believe Boystov is not under the Don King influence and would welcome a chance at the WBC heavyweight title. Boystov is an up and coming, young(21 years old), undefeated( won 27 (KO 22) + lost 0 (KO 0) + drawn 0 = 27), heavyweight and I think he would make the best choice. It would be a win win situation for both. If Vitali wins( as I think he will easily), then Boystov has already fought the best in the division but came up short at a very young age and the loss can be chalked off to just being inexperienced. This will give Vitali a solid win over a guy who is surely to be big name later on in the heavyweight division after Vitali retires which will further cement Vitali's legacy and give Vitali another fight while he waits for David Haye.

So, my recommended next fight for Vitali is Boystov. What's yours? Click 'COMMENTS" below and tell me what you think.