Looks like Wladimir Klitschko vs. Ruslan Chagaev is almost a done deal. The only thing that's left is the lawyers' approval and the fighters' signatures.
Ruslan Chagaev(WBA champion in recess) could not make it to fight Nicolai Valuev for the WBA championship because of a pre-fight medical, but supposedely things are worked out now as far as the medical and Chagaev and Klitschko are likely to fight on June 20th as a replacement for David Haye pulling out with a training injury.
If the fight happens RING magazine has confirmed the fight will be for the vacant RING magazine championship. So if Wladimir wins this will add to his WBO/IBF/IBO belts...
Nigel Collins Quotes
*Editor-in-Chief of THE RING magazine
“THE RING magazine will recognize the upcoming bout between Wladimir Klitschko and Ruslan Chagaev as being for the vacant RING heavyweight championship of the world. Usually, we require a match between the No. 1 and No. 2 contenders to fill a vacancy. But in certain circumstances, we will recognize a match between No. 1 and No. 3, and this is one of those circumstances."
“Wladimir is THE RING’s No. 1 heavyweight contender, and his participation is mandatory, but as the No. 2 contender is his brother, Vitali, and the brothers have stated many times that they will never fight, a match between Wladimir and No. 3 contender Chagaev meets THE RING’s criterion.”
Bernd Bönte Quotes
*Wladimir Klitschko's manager
“There are no further obstacles. We’ll exchange contracts probably tomorrow but we’ve agreed to the numbers. There are no further problems.”
“Are we relieved? Absolutely. The alternative would’ve been to postpone the fight for three weeks. We considered it but Haye could’ve come back and said he has back problems again. Then we would’ve had to wait until after summer vacation. Wladimir might not have fought again until September.
“Everyone on the team is very happy that this fight is on.”
“I think this opponent is even better (than Haye),” Bönte said. “He’s a world champion, he’s unbeaten. He’s beaten guys like (John) Ruiz and Valuev. He was a top amateur, a former amateur world champion. He even beat Felix Savon, the three-time Olympic champion.
“This is a big challenge. I think you see that Wladimir isn’t afraid to fight anyone – even on short notice. I think it shows his class.”
“Wladimir told me that he’s absolutely thrilled that this is for THE RING championship, especially because the last one to hold that title was his brother, Vitali, before he retired.
“A doctor in Berlin, at one of the most-reputable hospitals in the world, was asked by a journalist after the fight with Valuev was called off whether someone could be infected by Chagaev. He was told the chances were as high as you walking out of your home and having the sky fall on your head.
“Plus, Wladimir has been inoculated against hepatitis. That’s normal for youngsters in Europe.”
Unfortunately according to Shelly Finkel HBO has declined to show the alternate fight on June 20th, and we can only hope another network picks up this great fight or HBO reconsiders.
The good news is the same date and venue will remain and nobody will lose their moneys worth by having this fight as an alternative.
Check back for more info....
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