By James Slater: Klitschko manager Bernd Boente has announced that reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight king Vitali Klitschko’s next fight, penciled in for March 3rd at The ESPRIT Arena in Germany (Boxrec has the fight up on its schedule) will be announced officially shortly after younger brother Wladimir has had his fight with Jean Marc Mormeck, on Dec. 10th.
As fans have no doubt read, former WBA heavyweight ruler David Haye is the frontrunner to get the next shot at the 40-year-old champ; with Haye now having three weeks in which to make up his mind about whether or not he wants to abort the retirement he embarked on back on October 13th. Haye, Boente said, brings the most money to the table, even though he no longer has a belt to bargain with. There is no doubt about it: the Londoner is Vitali’s first choice.
But who else is in the frame should Haye decide to stay where he is, in retirement? According to Boente, there is a short lost of potential contenders – Haye is top of the list, with Mexican/American Chris Arreola and Ukrainian Alexander Dimitrenko next in line.
Arreola, 34-2(29) lost to Vitali back in September of 2009; retiring after the 10th-round. As such it may prove to be a tough sell getting fans interested in a return. However, Arreola has shown a rededicated attitude to training over the past seven months or so – winning six in a row since his points loss to Tomasz Adamek (just the second pro defeat for “The Nightmare”) and dropping down to an encouraging 234-pounds – and the 30-year-old is also highly ranked by the WBC.
As for 29-year-old Dimitrenko, 32-1(21), the reigning European heavyweight champ is coming off three straight wins which have followed his sole defeat at the fast hands of Philly’s Eddie Chambers. The German-based giant (6’7” and approx 250-pounds) has said in the past that the Klitschkos “never mention my name.” Hungry for his shot, the never-stopped contender might just get it next year. Likely an easier sell than Vitali-Arreola II, the idea of Dimitrenko against “Dr. Iron Fist” will likely intrigue a good number of fans.
Haye remains the biggest potential cash earner for Vitali, but does “The Hayemaker” want the fight? No doubt Arreola and Dimitrenko will be most interested to find out.