Unless I'm mistaken, Ruiz is still the mandatory and that's due sometime before Feb. It's entirely possible (and the WBA has done **** like this before) that if Wlad wins, he becomes "Super Duper Ultra" Champion and Ruiz fights Valuev to become ordinary champion.
Look fellas, Chageav has no chance against Wlad healthy or not. Easy, riskless opponent. Wlad is OBVIOUSLY pullin a ***** move fightin this ****in bum.
Nobody has a chance against Wlad right now (except Vitali). Both Chagaev and Povetkin would beat Haye and will give Wlad a tougher fight (both have chins, unlike Haye). Haye pulled out (supposedly because of an injury) and may get his chance after Wlad takes care of business on 6/20.
Povetkin and Chagaev would get anhilliated by Haye...especially Povetkin who just stands right in front of you and doesn't move his head and has no power.
C'mon man. Haye got KOd by a 190 lb, 40 year old cruiserweight and was shaken by Enzo Maccarenelli! Talk about someone who stands right in front of you. Povetkin is a gold medalist and Chagaev is a champ at heavyweight. Both are more accomplished than the cruiserweight.
Chag (when healthy) and Povetkin are both top 5 heavies...I'm bummed we won't see Haye vs Wlad, but at least there are some very solid fighters willing to step in on short notice.
It'd be a great fight for Wladimir, it's against an undefeated Olympic gold medallist and it gets a mandatory out of the way.