Manager says WBA ordered Valuev-Liakhovich

Edited Press Release: Sergei Liakhovich (23-2, 14 KOs) and his manager, Ivaylo Gotzev, say they're enraged at recent press releases from John Ruiz challenging Liakhovich to fight him this weekend. Liakhovich and Ruiz are #s 2 and 3 in the current WBA ratings. Gotzev gave Liakhovich's side of the situation: "The original offer, until a few days ago, was for two ex-champions to fight each other without any guarantees that it would be for any kind of improved position in the rankings. The most we could have won (by facing Ruiz) was to remain WBA number two. There was nothing to gain other than two ex-champions fighting off-TV. We are in a position in the rankings to fight for a championship soon if we don't take any stupid offers like this one." Gotzev also says he has in his possession a letter from the WBA ordering Liakhovich to begin negotiating with #1 Nikolay Valuev for an elimination fight to determine the mandatory challenger. "Valuev now he says he's ready to face Sergei," claims Gotzev, "that's the fight we're angling for and we're confident the WBA will do the right thing now and enforce their original order."