Klitschko.com - English

This is certainly not a fight I want to see, as there will be NO drama whatsoever. Wladimir will crush Rahman without question.

There are other, far more deserving heavyweights out there who deserve this chance. This is like John Ruiz continuously getting a _title_ shot from Valuev.

Here is a short list of other, far more deserving heavyweights whom I feel Wladimir should fight next.

Arreola
Dimitrenko
Bidenko
Ibragimov
Chagaev
Kevin Johnson
Odlanier Solis

He should because Rahman is the Mandatory for the IBF _title_.

...With mandatory challenger Povetkin injured, Rahman, 35, was the IBF's leading available contender and, therefore, will count as Klitschko's mandatory fight, Finkel said. ...

Quelle: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3681385

This will be Wladimir's 3rd fight in less than a year. He plans on fighting early 2009, so potentially 4 fights in a years time. That's very active for any heavyweight, and extremely active for a champion. What does this guy have to do? lol As the previous poster jisi said it counts as the IBF mandatory. Here are the IBF rankings current:

CHAMPION Wladimir Klitschko Ukraine

1 Alexander Povetkin Russian Federation --------------------> out with injury
2 NOT RATED -----------------------------------------------------------> self explanatory here lol
3 Alexander Dimitrenko Ukraine -----------------------------------> Has fight with Luan Krasniqi on Nov 15th
4 Chris Arreola United States --------------------------------------> Has fight with Travis Walker on Nov 29th
5 Hasim Rahman United States -----------------------------------> Available opponent
6 Oleg Maskaev Kazakhstan
7 Sultan Ibragimov United States
8 Eddie Chambers United States
9 Andrew Golota United States
10 James Toney United States
11 Kali Meehan Australia
12 Sinan Samil Sam Turkey
13 Travis Walker United States
14 Cedric Boswell United States
15 Shane Cameron New Zealand

Wladimir is covered by the IBF by fighting the the 1st highest available opponent, which is Rahman. Wladimir spent a long time to earn these belts he just doesn't want to lose them especially since he is A) The most active champion out there as it is, Will make a lot of money off the Rahman fight, C) Will have a great name on his record, and D) revenge the negative talk Rahman gave his brother Vitali.

If your just talking fights I'd rather see. I'd rather see Wladimir fight Nicolai Valuev, but this fight with Rahman is to protect his IBF belt. He just fought his WBO mandatory not too long ago so by fighting Rahman he's covered from any mandatory obligations for a long while which means this opens him up to fight other guys as a voluntary defense including Valuev. And Sultan Ibragimov again? NO thanks! lol

I largely agree with you OkieHoss..but Rahman doen't seem to me to be quite as unworthy as you suggest.He is strong and he can punch so Wlad should take him seriously.

Of the other contenders you mentioned,Arreola seems most worthy,and believe it or not,a Ruiz challenge would interest me because Ruiz wouldn't be able to wrestle Wladimir.

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Captain Marvel- Did you read my or jisi's posts?

Does anybody know where or what channel I can see the Haye vs.Barret fight in the States? Just want a chance to see him. Don't know if should root against Haye for all his trash talking or for him so Wlad can bust him up