Sulaiman explained the situation when asked about the length of time the formidable elder Klitschko has to make up his mind on another fight. The 41 year-old has now gone seven months without announcing his next move and is rumoured to be mulling over retirement as his career away from boxing steps up a gear.
“Chris Arreola of the USA is the number one in the world and he is having a final elimination bout against Bermane Stiverne of Canada on April 27 in California,” Sulaiman confirmed to World Boxing News.
“As you know, the winner will be the official automatic challenger for Vitali Klitschko, who will not be able to fight anyone else.”
Rival David Haye has repeatedly called out ‘Dr.Ironfist’ in the months since his last successful defence against Manuel Charr, although Klitschko has been unresponsive to the Briton’s advances.
Klitschko now has to decide whether to avoid announcing the end of his stint as a fighter and face the winner of this month’s eliminator, or alternatively, pass on the title for the next in line to contest with Arreola or Stiverne.
With number three Johnathon Banks rubberstamping his rematch with Seth Mitchell for June 22 this week, that could bring in Tyson Fury or Steve Cunningham for a shot at the vacant belt should Vitali decide to call it a day before the summer.
