The Russian Giant Valuev’s WBA title defense against the WBA “champion in recess” Uzbek Ruslan Chagaev was called off on May 29, hours before the event, due to a Chagaev illness. When a few days later Haye announced he would not fight Klitschko on June 20, it seemed there were no obstacles to the much-anticipated clash between Wladimir Klitshcko and Nikolay Valuev.

However, it would be unreasonable for Valuev to agree to fight on June 20. The Russian was preparing for action on May 30. He is now in top competition form, but heading up to June 20 his condition will probably deteriorate, while Klitshcko should reach his top form. Besides, both fighters were preparing to face different opponents – obviously, physically and technically there’s a huge difference between Klitshcko and Chagaev, and an even bigger one between Valuev and Haye. Thus, Valuev may only appear in Gelsenkirken as a sideliner.

Unlike Valuev, another Russian heavyweight Aleksandr Povetkin wasn’t planning to fight at all. There’s no doubt the Russian – now the IBF mandatory challenger – is eager to meet Klitshcko in the ring. But still, the possibility of the bout within the next few weeks is very small, the Russian Sport Express newspaper reminds us.

Interestingly, Povetkin’s promotion company, Sauerland Events, has a contract with the ARD TV channel, while the Klitshcko brothers’ K2 is linked with RTL. Relations between ARD and RTL are deathly to say the least, so there’s almost no possibility for them to settle all questions considering TV rights for the fight within two weeks.

There will probably be no Russian fighters in Gelsenkirken on June 20. So who will be there? Specialists are making guesses. Maybe Ruslan Chagaev? Klitschko has repeatedly said he wants to fight the Uzbek despite his misterious illness. Maybe one of the Americans: Eddie Chambers or Chris Arreola, or maybe Cuban Odlanier Solís? A decision will have to be made soon, since there are only two weeks left before the event. Still, be it one of the two Americans, the Cuban or some other challenger, the bout won’t be highly anticipated, as its result will be 99 percent predictable.