Russia’s best heavyweight boxer Alexander Povetkin and former world champion Ruslan Chagaev of Uzbekistan are likely to clash for the vacant World Boxing Association title.

­The belt was put on the line after Wladimir Klitschko beat WBA champ David Haye to become the Association’s Super Champion.

“The contract for the fight is not signed yet," Vladimir Khryunov, Povetkin’s manager, told Sportbox.ru. “But the possibility of the bout is 80 per cent.”  

If the deal is struck the boxers will enter the ring on August 30 in the German city of Erfurt.

Undefeated Povetkin (21 wins, 15 KOs) held his last fight in December last year, beating Nicolay Firtha of the US on points, despite damaging his hand in the process.

Former WBA title holder Chagaev (29 wins, 17 Kos, 1 loss and 1 draw) defeated another American Travis Walker by a refereeing decision in November 2010.