hard to predict. usually it's some guy you didn't expect anyway. Maybe Povetkin a couple months earlier as planned, but it would be surprising if he believes he's "ready".
Sauerland and Povetkin are saying they want to fight by the Feb 27th WBA deadline but Boente is saying there is an extension and seems like he wants to delay the fight until summer. After four years of Povetkin avoiding and the unimpressive opponeets he was stuck with in 2012 why wouldn't everyone in Vova's camp do everything possible to make it happen as soon as possible? Povetkin has the best resume of any other HW, is undefeated and is a pretty easy style matchup for Volodymyr compared to Pulev who he'll also probably have to fight next year. Boente seems like a buisness guy who looks for the most attention or money and would advise Vova to fight Mitchell who has hype but no substance rather than a guy like Pulev who is actually quality and would be way more benificial to have on Vova's win column. Is my impression of him accurate at all or does he actually grasp a boxers true worth vs media hype/name recognition?
Why accommodate Povetkin's wishes if he's the one who ran twice. After Wlad paid press conferences and training camps out of his own pocket. I wouldn't accommodate jack**** for Povetkin. If he's serious about fighting then he will fight no matter if the date is in February or 3 months later. As far as Bönte is concerned. Obviously he is a business guy and he also is the guy who is in talks with RTL as far as I know. RTL want those boxers they can sell (They marketed Wach very well and got a very high viewership for the fight, even though Wach was a C class opponent). Pulev may be a good fighter but RTL doesn't care as much about that as about marketability.
I get that mindset but it isn't smart to try and be a hardass just to show who is boss. Like i said Povetkin has the best resume, is a very meaningful win and is a easier style matchup than Pulev and after being reduced to having to fight Mormeck, TT and Wach getting a meaningful fight should be priority, not playing mind games with Sauerland or Povetkin.
Well I see it more as a means of risk reduction. Play hardball with Sauerland now (after they ditched out twice) to make sure they actually are serious this time around. You'll know how serious they are if they accept hardass conditions. The riskiest thing for Wlad would be to accommodate whatever Povetkin is asking for, then 3 weeks before the fight he pulls out again with a strained vagina and Wlad loses all the time and money he spent for preparation and marketing.
Chef, Could you give me a list of a couple potentials? Or at least give me indication if he will be fighting a ring top 10 guy this time?
hey chef great to see you posting again man..has wlad got a short list for his next opponent..and if so can you share it??