WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev is ready to fight either of the Klitschko brothers, his promoter said on Tuesday.
"If we get a serious offer, we are ready to go against one of the Klitschkos at any time," promoter Wilfried Sauerland said.
"We have not heard anything from the Klitschkos in 12 months." Vitaly and Wladimir Klitschko said on Monday they are worried promoters will deny them the chance of holding all four heavyweight titles. The Ukrainian brothers currently hold three titles - Wladimir is the IBF and WBO champion, and Vitali has the WBC belt.
Bernd Boente, an adviser to the Klitschko brothers, said on Tuesday his camp had asked for a fight with Valuev but that Don King, who has a 50% interest in Valuev bouts, demanded a cut in any future fights involving the Klitschkos.
"We spoke to Don King three weeks ago to ask him for a fight against Valuev. He said either of the Klitschkos would knock out Valuev and that he would accept a fight only if he was allowed a cut in future fights involving the Klitschkos," Boente told German news agency DPA.
The Klitschko brothers claimed on Monday that King and Sauerland were offering an unacceptable share of the purse for a possible fight with Valuev. Both Vitaly, 37, and Wladimir, 32, said they would be ready to fight the 2.14-meter (7-foot) Russian.
"Around the world, fans and experts want to see this fight, but these promoters are doing everything to make sure that this fight doesn't go ahead," said Vitaly Klitschko, who says the purse should be split 50-50 because it would pit champion against champion.
Both Vitaly, 37, and Wladimir, 32, said they would be ready to fight the 2.14-meter (7-foot) Russian.
Vitaly Klitschko, who announced his retirement in 2005 but came back in 2007, is preparing for the mandatory defense of his WBC title against Juan Carlos Gomez of Cuba on March 21 in Stuttgart.
He had hoped to fight Britain's David Haye in June in London, but will instead take on the No. 1-ranked WBC challenger in Stuttgart.
Wladimir Klitschko said he would now likely face Haye, though arrangements are in the preliminary stage. He also named Chris Arreola as another possible opponent this year.
