Wladimir to face Povetkin

Wladimir Klitschko will not be taking on David Haye any time soon after it was confirmed he will face Alexander Povetkin in September.

September date mooted for Klitschko title defence

Wladimir Klitschko will not be taking on David Haye any time soon after his promoters K2 won the purse bid for him to fight Alexander Povetkin. The 30-year-old Russian has been the IBF's mandatory challenger for two years and finally appears to have earned a shot at Klitschko, who also holds the WBO strap. "I am very happy that we have won the bid and will promote the fight," Klitschko said on his official website. The venue and date for the bout will be announced by the Klitschko Management Group in the next three weeks. The Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt is being considered as one option to stage the heavyweight contest. The news means WBA champion Haye must look to Klitschko's brother and WBC champion Vitali for a unification fight this year, although it is unclear whether negotiations are ongoing. Reports elsewhere have suggested Haye could fight fellow Brit and current European champion Audley Harrison before the year is out. Povetkin was a latecomer to the professional ranks after winning Olympic gold in Athens in 2004, and has had 19 successful paid fights with 14 of the wins coming via stoppage. However, he has fought just four times in the last two years after beating 'Fast' Eddie Chambers to become the IBF's number one contender. Chambers overcame that loss to beat Povetkin to a shot at Klitschko in March, but was stopped in the final round when miles behind on the cards.