By Alexander Pavlov

Chris Meyer, the General Manager of Sauerland Event, who represent the interests of WBA "regular" heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin, believes WBO/IBF/WBO/WBA champion Wladimir Klitschko is avoiding a mandatory fight with his boxer.

Several weeks ago the WBA ordered Klitschko, the organization's "super champion," to face Povetkin, the WBA's "regular" champion. The two sides had until January 17th to make a deal, but Klitschko's side put in a request to make a voluntary defense on April 6th in Germany and that postponed their deadline date.

"We tried to negotiate with the team of Klitschko back in December, but they gave us excuses that were not very articulate. There were many excuses [to keep pushing the discussions back], but however, all of this did not stop Klitschko from making an application to postpone the mandatory defense against Povetkin, and to make a voluntary against a selected opponent on April 6. We challenged the claims Klitschko. Contrary to the reluctance of Wladimir, Povetkin wants to fight. The WBA will make a decision, and we are confident that it will be in our favor," Meyer said.

"Indeed, one of the objectives of the federation is to protect the rights of the applicant. A good example of this is last year's fight between Povetkin and Huck. He would not have have been able to go forward without the consent of the then mandatory challenger Hasim Rahman. We are now in a similar situation. So I think that the WBA has no other choice but to authoriz Klitschko fight with Povetkin."

Meyer believes Klitschko and his team are running from the fight because of the purse bid. Although twice in past Klitschko and K2 Promotions defeated Sauerland at the purse bid table, this time Meyer says his company will come out swinging with their bank account. Both times in the past the fight fell through.

"I know that they are in talks with various boxers, including [Odlanier] Solis, whose name is absent in rankings of the WBA. They are afraid. Afraid to let the situation get out of control - knowing that Povetkin is a serious contender and Sauerland Event is serious about the negotiations. They are well aware that they can not make arbitrary decisions and they will have to reckon with us. And these type of things Klitschko really does not like. After [we] win the purse bid - it is we, not them, who decide the place and time of the match and the TV channels," Meyer said.

Alexander Pavlov covers boxing for Sportbox.ru