IBF: May 17th Deadline For Klitschko Haye Negotiations

The IBF has granted an exception for their current champion Wladimir Klitschko (also holds the WBO, IBO, and Ring belts) to face David Haye in a unification (as stated by their rules that holds unification bouts over mandatory's) instead of facing the IBF mandatory Alexander Povetkin, but has until tomorrow, May 17th, to workout some sort of deal.

I doubt anything will occur. I don't think Haye wants to fight Wladimir and will come up with some sort of excuse. Most likely we will see Wladimir take on Povetkin later this year. We will have to see how that plays out considering Povetkin's recent press conference.

If I was Wladimir I'd offer a 75/25 split in Haye's favor, but say if he(Wladimir) knocks him out it will be a 50/50 split. This will draw interest in many ways. 1st how could Haye say that those terms would not be in his favor? If Haye refuses it will definitely show he is a coward. Secondly, if he accepts well Wladimir probably knows that he will knock him out, and he's no worse off than before, because he was planning on a 50/50 split from the beginning. Worse case scenario if he doesn's knock him out he doesn't make as much money but at this point I think Wladimir would fight him for free, and he would have the WBA belt.

I think 50/50 is already fair enough and even if Wladimir doesn't do something like I'm suggesting here it should be pretty obvious that Haye is ducking Wladimir if he doesn't think 50/50 is fair....

Klitschko's Team Stands Firm With Valuev

There have been ongoing negotiations for a fight between current WBC champ Vitali Klitschko and former WBA champion Nicolai Valuev. Vitali has given a lot more than he was intending to offer Valuev to begin with ($1 million to now $2.5 million), but still Valuev's team does not thing that is enough. Team Valuev also wants to share money for TV rights in the United States and Russia.

Here's what Klitschko's manager Bernd Bönte had to say about the fight:

"Our offer is very high. We are not going to make any further concessions. So either Valuev takes 1.8 million euros [2.5 million] - or the fight bursts."

Klitschko Gives Valuev Final Offer Of $2.5 Million

As a last minute gesture to show how much he's willing to face the Russian giant Nicolai Valuev, current WBC champ Vitali Klitschko has now said he has offered Valuev $2.5 million for the fight. Previously through negotiations Vitali has offered $1 million then $2 million dollars while Valuev's team countered with wanting $4 million dollars which is an outrageous amount.

$2.5 million dollars is more than Valuev has made in any fights in his career including while champion and now that he is not champion he doesn't seem to think that's enough either. This is after Valuev has stated that Vitali had been running from him throughout his career. I guess $2.5 million isn't enough in Valuev's eyes for a beating! This is what Vitali had to say about the negotiations with Nicolai and his team....

"Valuev knows that I’m interested in a fight with him, - told the Ukrainian to Moskovskiy Komsomolets. – But as I have already stated numerous times Valuev doesn’t decide much. The last word always belongs to Don King and Wilfried Sauerland. As a champion I will dictate my own conditions. And I’ve already made an offer for Valuev. He promised to talk it over with his promoters. I give him a chance to fight for the champion’s belt. Besides, he’s been talking for a while that I avoid him. So now he has his chance and it’s up to him to take it or not."

“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."

Klitschko vs Valuev A No Go

After lengthy negotiations, the heavyweight matchup between current WBC heavyweight champion "Dr. Ironfist" Vitali Klitschko and the 7' + tall and former WBA heavyweight champion "The Beast from the East" Nicolai Valuev will not be happening after all as confirmed by BILD. Vitali Klitschko's team has tried their best to get the Russian giant into the ring, but Valuev's team appears to not want to fight Vitali by wanting too many demands.

As to why I think the fight isn't happening, I believe they know Valuev will lose for sure and they think they can make more money with Valuev on a few more fights and another potentially safer route against another champion in the future who is not a Klitschko(Haye for example, or potentially another champion if Vitali retires).

Here's what Vitali Klitschko's manager Bernd Bonte had to say about this fight failing in negotiations:

"Promoter Don King is crazy. He makes demands for Valuev that are simply not acceptable.."

Klitschko Offers $2 million For Valuev

Team Klitschko has made a final offer to face Nicolai Valuev for $2 million. Originally, Vitali Klitschko and his team offered Valuev $1 million dollars and then team Valuev came back and demanded an outrageous $4 million.

Here's what Vitali Klitschko told liga.net...

"We continue the negotiations. Valuev has made big mistake by signing the contract with Don King. Valuev wants to get $4 million for this fight, though he has never earned so much even when he was a world champion. I made him the official offer – $2 million and the chance to fight for the world title. If he doesn’t answer by next week, we’ll surely sign an agreement with another opponent."

Team Valuev Wants $4 million To Face Klitschko

Looks like that while in talks to face each other, the former WBA heavyweight champion's team has now asked for $4 million to face the current champion Vitali Klitschko after Klitschko's team offered $1 million. The main reason this is occurring is because of Valuev's co-promoter Don King.

Here's what Klitschko’s manager Bernd Bönte told BILD:

“Impossible even if Valuev had four belts and was undefeated.” He added that if Valuev doesn’t come aboard, there are other alternatives. Kalle Sauerland of Sauerland Event, Valuev’s other co-promoter, is optimistic that Klitschko-Valuev can be made. “This is an absolute must-fight,” he said. “We’ll find a solution. I think we’ll get this fight sorted out.”

To me this is unreasonable. Valuev never made anywhere near this amount as champion but after a defeat they want $4 million to face Vitali? Sounds like King is just giving a figure to make it look like he's willing to face Klitschko when he really doesn't and knows that a large sum like this would dissuade anyone to want to go through with the fight.

Valuev Turns Down Vitali Klitschko's Offer

It's been recently reported that former WBA heavyweight champion (who is coming off a loss to David Haye) has turned down $1 million to fight current WBC Vitali Klitschko in a voluntary defense.

It's my opinion that this is a fair amount of money considering Vitali Klitschko is taking all the risk and doesn't have much to gain other than making a fairly intriguing (for the size factor alone) match for the fans, and making some extra money before he retires. I think Valuev shoud take the offer although I imagine there may be just some negotiation strategy involved here and that be more to do with it than Valuev not wanting to fight. I believe that since Valuev isn't champion Don King shouldn't worry about losing leverage since he has nothing to lose and everything to gain if he takes this offer with Valuev. Here's what the fighters had to say...

Vitali Klitschko Quotes

“I’m an acting world champion, while Valuev isn’t even a contender. I have the right to make a voluntary defense and I decided myself on whom to present a chance to fight for the champion’s belt. I decided to give this chance to Nikolay. I called back to Valuev and made him an offer. I offered him the fee for the fight. It’s money that correlates with his size. He took the time to think it over. I called him again several days later. He recommended that I continue the negotiations with Don King."

Valuev Quotes

“He offered me the same amount as he did to his last opponent Kevin Johnson. A million? Yes, Vitali offered me that amount. But for me that sum is unacceptable.”

Tags: Vitali Klitschko, Vitali Klitschko Quotes, Klitschko Opponent Quotes, Quotes, Fight Negotiations, Nicolai VAluev

Klitschko Haye Negotiations Stopped!

It appears that the negotiations for a potential heavyweight clash on June 20th between current WBO/IBF/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir "Steelhammer" Klitschko and former cruiserweight champion turned heavyweight contender David "Hayemaker" Haye has become suspended. Apparently there are disagreements over the UK television rights, venue, and Klitschko's team has accused Haye and his manager Adam Booth of being greedy.

Wladimir Klitschko Quotes

"The main problem is the lack of professionalism on the part of David Haye and his representatives. Haye can't figure out what he wants. Two weeks ago, negotiations were coming along. But, at this time they have been suspended. If Haye plans to continue [to negotiate] in the same way - it will be two more years before he gets his chance to reach a title fight - if he doesn't lose. In the event that a fight with the Brit will fall apart, we will fight Chris Arreola or find someone else. This will be determined later"


So it appears if this doesn't get settled quickly, the most likely next opponent for Wladimr will be Chris "The Nightmare" Arreola. Check back for more current information on this development...

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Haye Willing To Face Wladimir In Germany?

According to Haye's team, David "Hayemaker" Haye is now willing to face current WBO/IBF/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir "Steelhammer" Klitschko in Germany as opposed to a proposed venue in the U.K. Haye’s trainer and manager Adam Booth had the following to say:

“I want to make this absolutely clear, because unfortunately the KMG manager, Bernd Bonte, seems to be taking things too personally and trying to confuse the issue. The one-sided interview he did with biased keyboard warrior Dan Rafael (ESPN.com) – a man who has shown a longstanding dislike for David Haye - has distorted some of the facts.

“David will fight Wladimir anywhere they choose, and give them the two rematch options they have requested.

“In regards to the rematches clause, I am baffled as to why Bonte seems to have forgotten our last conversation about this. We said they could have the two rematches they wanted, which effectively means David’s next three fights could be in Germany against either Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko.

“What they’re also demanding is that if David were to win against Wladimir and then have a mandatory challenger obligation (non-Klitschko) he would have to immediately vacate the title he won from Wladimir. This would mean David could win three fights against the Klitschko brothers and still not be in a position to officially call himself heavyweight champion of the world at the end of it.”

“They (the Klitschko brothers) would make exactly the same money in Germany as they would in England because we have dropped our figure to go to Germany. If they take a proposed fight with Chris Arreola, they will make substantially less. So people can now work this out for themselves.

“The original deal to co-promote the event would never work because of unacceptable terms. However, we’re willing to sacrifice a little on our side just to get this fight made.

“David doesn’t want to dodge Wladimir and just pick and choose his way through boring, fringe contenders. He wants to fight the best and restore some excitement to the heavyweight division. We only hope Wladimir feels the same way.”


Source

Technorati Tags: Quotes, Other Boxing News, Other Heavyweight Boxing News, Fight Negotiations, Wladimir Klitschko, Wladimir Klitschko Opponents