Sources from the WBC have informed Boxingtalk.com that, as long as newly crowned heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev's next fight takes place before the end of the year, he will be allowed to make an optional defense of his title before facing mandatory challenger Samuel Peter. Maskaev promoter Dennis Rappaport, who was in attendance at the Holyfield-Oquendo presser in New York City yesterday afternoon, told Boxingtalk that fans should be expecting Maskaev to return to the ring on December in the first heavyweight championship bout to take place in (Moscow) Russia. No opponent for Maskaev's next fight has been solidified as this goes to print, but boxing fans shouldn't hold their breaths expecting the Maskaev braintrust to solidify a scintillating match-up during their optional period. Boxingtalk also spoke with Duva Boxing President Dino Duva yesterday afternoon and naturally Duva feels that Peter's mandatory should be enforced immediately, since the winner of Rahman-Maskaev II was previously ordered to face James Toney in their next bout.

Obviously, the WBC doesn't think so. In either case Duva told Boxingtalk.com, "It is my very strong position, that Samuel Peter, by virtue of his victory over James Toney, should hold the position that Toney had. If it is confirmed that they are planning a fight in Decmeber instead of facing Samuel, I will be preparing a very strong objection to the WBC.  They (Team Maskaev) can run but they can't hide. I can't say I blame them for wanting to fight in Russia because they want to make some money before they have to fight Samuel. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they decided to vacate the title before facing Sam and I guess I wouldn't want the clock to strike twelve if I were promoting the heavyweight division's so called Cinderalla man."   

Maskaev earned his right to challenge Rahman by defeating Sinal Sam, who lost every second of every round to Juan Carlos Gomez in his first (and likely last) bout on HBO.  Gomez was stopped in one by Yanqui Diaz on telefutura shortly thereafter.

Last weekend, two top notch heavyweights, Samuel Peter and James Toney fought  for the right to challenge Maskaev in their next bout. Boxing fans shouldn't be forced to watch  a heavyweight champion milk his title while a legit mandatory challenger sits idle.

Maskaev should receive the same treatment as Hasim Rahman.  Once Vitali Klitschko retired Rahman had to make consecutive mandatory defense against James Toney and Oleg Maskaev before the WBC would grant him an optional so why should Maskaev be allowed an optional before making ONE mandatory?

The Peter-Toney fight was being billed as No risk, No reward. Unfortunately for the Peter camp, unless the WBC does the right thing, perhaps big risk, long wait, slow reward would have been more accurate.

M

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