Klitschko vs Povetkin: Vladimir Hryunov, Povetkin's manager, wins purse bid at massive $23 million

According to a report at BoxingScene.com that will shock and awe just about everyone in or around boxing, Alexander Povetkin's manager Vladimir Hryunov put down a gargantuan $23 million bid to win the rights to a fight between his man and Wladimir Klitschko, which has been ordered to happen by August.

K2 Promotions reportedly bid $7.1 million, with Sauerland Event, Povetkin's promoter, at $6.1 million.

In this Don King purse bid-winning world, the first thought, obviously, is whether or not Hryunov really can come up with $23 million to make this happen. King has recently won bids for Huck-Afolabi III and Arreola-Stiverne, only to default on both. If Hryunov were to default, K2 would have the fight, and given the sheer enormity of this bid, it's not exactly difficult to see that happen.

K2 had previously won purse bids for the same matchup in 2008 and 2009, but the fight was canceled both times when Povetkin pulled out.

Both fighters are due up in May, as Klitschko will face Francesco Pianeta on May 4, and Povetkin takes on Andrzej Wawrzyk on May 17. If both win as expected, the path is clear -- maybe.