Boxing News: Vitali Klitschko vs. Oleg Maskaev?

[TSIAS]

We've learned in the past few days that former World Heavyweight Champ Vitali Klitschko is planning a comeback and wants to reclaim his WBC Heavyweight belt against current titleholder Oleg Maskaev. The WBC, the sanctioning body for which the senior Klitschko would be challenging for the title, has stated that they'll allow Vitali (a former champ) to challenge for the title. This has infuriated Duva Boxing and current WBC #1 ranked challenger Samuel Peter. His promotional team has stated that they will file a lawsuit to stop the fight from happening. Personally, I think Peter has fulfilled all of his obligations. He fought Toney twice for the mandatory spot and deserves the #1 spot. Nevertheless, Klitschko retired as the recognized best heavyweight in the sport. But looking at the letter of the WBC law, it looks like Klitschko/Makaev will take place in Moscow on April 21.

In other news, Super Flyweight beltholder Jorge Arce is defending his title this week against a fighter names Julio Ler. Also, Kelly Pavlik steps up against Top Rank stablemate Jose Luis Zertuche. When Pavlik wins by impressive KO, he'll probably be mentioned to get a shot at the 160 LB titles.

Finally, in assorted news...

Floyd Mayweather, Sr. won't be a part of the training team for Oscar De La Hoya's May 5 fight against recognized PFP #1 boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr. DLH was not willing to pay the elder Floyd the $2 million that he demanded to train DLH against his son.

Also, in what should be a great match, it has been announced that middleweight contender Edison Miranda will take on unbeaten Allen Green on the undercard of Miguel Cotto/Oktay Urkal in Puerto Rico on March 3.

Finally, Don King has negotiated a rematch between World Cruiserweight Champion O'Neil Bell and Jean Marc Mormeck in Paris, France on March 17. I hope HBO decides to pick up that fight. Should be a tremendous rematch.

[H2O Man]

1. I think Don King

wants Samuel Peter to get the fight. It may be that King translates the letter of the law, so to speak. It would be wrong to give a guy who retired in the distant past to butt ahead of the top contender. It appears that one group of people wants to keep their "title" within a small group of contenders.

[TSIAS]

2. Peter deserves his shot

Quite frankly, he'd be a favorite to beat Maskaev and an underdog to Vitali.

On a side note, I don't understand why Vitali Klitschko was considered the real HW champion before he retired. Many people claimed he was the lineal champ after beating Corrie Sanders. But I don't think that was enough to make him the recognized champ. I still don't think it's possible to claim there is an undisputed champ. Wladimir is certainly the best and is most likely the #1 in the division. But there hasn't been a true HW champ since Lennox Lewis retired in 2003.

[H2O Man]

3. Vitali

He wasn't considered the "real" champion, any more that Rahman was. He had one of the paper titles.

I hope that Peter gets the shot, then defends against Vitali. It isn't going to be the same Klitschko who had the good fight with Lewis, and then KOed Danny Williams. (Not that Danny Williams is to be considered in the same class with Peter.)

Samuel will knock Vitali out, at this point in their careers.

[TSIAS]

4. Weekend results

The HBO card was rather disappointing. Pavlik won by 8th Round TKO over his opponent, Zertuche. Pavlik pretty much won every round in route to impressive TKO. I'm surprised, after so many years as a pro, that he hasn't gotten a shot.

Jorge Arce won almost every round against his opponent, Julio Ler. Arce has relinquished his title and moved to 115 pounds. Arce vs. Vic Darchinyan would be a good fight at this point.

Hopefully this weekend will be a little bit better. I wanted to go to the fight in Miami, but the contract fell through and the Showtime fight will be moved to Kissimmee, FL. Tomasz Adamek will fight Chad Dawson for one of the 175 LB titles. Julio Diaz will fight Jesus Chavez in the co-feature at 135. I see both of these fights as being competitive. We'll have to see how Chavez responds after his last bout against Levander Johnson, which resulted in his opponent's untimely demise following the bout.

In an interesting note, Dawson has hired Floyd Mayweather, Sr. to replace trainer Dan Birmingham for his bout against Adamek.

[TSIAS]

5. This weekend's results

On Showtime, there were 2 fights that looked like they would be entertaining matchups. Unfortunately, neither of them panned out.

Julio Diaz won a 135 LB belt in defeating Jesus Chavez by 3rd Round KO. Chavez pulled a Jameel McCline and lost the fight without being hit by a punch. His good knee blew out and he was forced to retire in the 3rd Round. Diaz is once again a player in the LW division.

In the main event, Chad Dawson unseated Tomasz Adamek to win a Light Heavyweight belt. Dawson pretty much dominated the fight, except for the 10th when Adamek hurt and dropped Dawson. It'll be interesting to see how the division evolves with the probable departures of Antonio Tarver and Roy Jones, Jr. I loved Adamek's two wars with Paul Briggs, but Dawson looks to be the real deal at 175.

[H2O Man]

6. I thought the Dawson

fight was very good. It showed the value of speed and intelligence in a contest against brute force.

Chavez didn't look like he wanted to be in the ring.