Wladimir Klitschko vs Francesco Pianeta

[Freedom]

Wladimir Klitschko and his management have had several heavyweights turn down the offer of a voluntary title shot. Sauerland's fighters like Kubrat Pulev and Riobert Helenius were unwilling, or at least their promoter was. Alexander Povetkin has pulled out twice in the past and is always a big risk to do so again, and with purse bids the fight wouldn't happen until July anyway.

Tyson Fury's management said "no" when sent a contract. Odlanier Solis was originally chosen as Wladimir's voluntary opponent, but Don King pulled the plug on it. Others like Fres Oquendo are willing but not really qualified.

Bryant Jennings was willing and might be a better fighter than Francesco Pianeta or about as good, but he's unknown in Europe, so that only made sense if it were on HBO. Wladimir had chosen actually chosen Jennings, but HBO said no, so then they decided to go with Pianeta.

So Pianeta is probably the best of who is willing and available. He's ranked by the sanctioning organizations, he's undefeated at 28-0, and he's a 6'5" natural heavyweight.

The Bradley-Prodovnikov situation is very different. There were many better fighters than Provodnikov available and willing, but Bradley chose someone who has limited skills and athleticism who would make him look very good, and too make it worse, would need to move up from 140 to 147.

So people who bash Wladimir Klitschko for fighting Pianeta yet find Bradley-Prodovnikov acceptable are not being fair and are going by a double standard. Bradley fighting Prodovnikov is like Wlad choosing the BoxRec #23 cruiserweight and asking him to move up for the fight.

Wlad will fight Povetkin in July if Sauerland wants it.