Duva speaks on WBC and Klitschko-Masakev "conspiracy!"

By G. Leon

25/01/2007

Duva speaks on WBC and Klitschko-Masakev "conspiracy!"

GL: Can you give us some thoughts on Vitali Klitschko making his comeback and the WBC allegedly allowing him to come back against Maskaev? "First of all we're pleased that Vitali has the urge to fight again. We welcome him. He's always been a good guy and he's a professional. I don't hold anything against warrior who wants to do this again. But if he continues to try to step on and interfere with Samuel Peter's rights to fight Oleg Maskaev, then I have a problem with what Vitali is trying to do. That doesn't just go for Vitali. It goes for Maskaev and the WBC , and every other representative of any other party involved of what I believe to be a conspiracy and a methodical plan and venture to screw Samuel Peter's rights. None of us will stand for it, and there's been talks of the WBC granting Vitali's request to allow him to fight for the title before Samuel's mandatory is enforced. There's obviously many forces at work here trying to do that. I have a glimmer of hope that the WBC will do the right thing here, but at the same time I'm realistic and I know what's going on here. We're very prepared with a very heavy hitting legal team to go after anyone trying to interfere with Samuel's rights. All we're asking is for the WBC to do the right thing and honor what they've said in the past. If Maskaev doesn't want to fight Samuel, let him go fight Vitali for no title, that's their perogative. But Samuel has earned his right to fight for the title.

"And Vitali hasn't fought in two years. First the Klitschko group tried to make Wladimir with Masakev. But when the IBF stood up and told him he'd have to make his mandatory against Ray Austin, in comes the other Klitschko to try and save the day for Maskaev. They're playing games but Samuel's career is not a joke and we're going after everyone looking to interfere with his rights. If this figh with Vitali and Maskaev materializes the damages will be unbelievable. Samuel is getting damaged with every hour that goes by. The Toney fight was almost three weeks ago and we should have been in our negotiating period right now. Everyone is getting damaged as time keeps passing because TV deals and TV dates are coming and going and everyone is in limbo. This is not right and we're not going to stand by and allow it to happen."

GL: Do you believe Vitali came into the picture only after Wladimir's people and Rappaport realized he couldn't fight Maskaev?

DD: "I believe they got aggressive and started pushing the WBC once they beat Ohkello in December. Thank God the IBF stood up and did the right thing. Then when it looks like they have nowhere to go but their mandatory, Vitali Klitschko comes out of retirement. It's so blatant and transparent what's going on here that it's horrible. We'd be happy to fight both Klitschko, but those fights have to happen after Sam fights and knocks out Oleg Maskaev.

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