24.01.07 – By Geoffrey Ciani: Rumors have recently surfaced that former WBC heavyweight champion, Vitali Klitschko, is contemplating a return to professional boxing. Such rumors have floated around ever since he first retired back in late 2005, however, this time there seems to be a bit more substance behind them. This time, it looks as if Vitali Klitschko’s comeback is really going to happen.
It appears that the former WBC champion is looking to dive right back into the thick of things without even taking a tune-up bout. A tentative match-up against reigning WBC champion, Oleg Maskaev, is seemingly in the making. Apparently, the two camps are negotiating for a possible showdown this April in Moscow. Originally, Maskaev was targeting a unification bout with Vitali’s younger brother, reigning IBF champion, Wladimir Klitschko, but Wladimir has decided to fulfill his mandatory obligation in March, putting an end to any hopes for unification.
I suppose as far as Oleg’s concerned, either Klitschko will do. After all, either Klitschko is likely to provide Maskaev with a career payday.
This doesn’t bode well for Samuel Peter, who inexplicably was forced to fight two eliminator bouts against James Toney. For now, it looks as if Peter will have to play the waiting game, largely because, WBC rules state Vitali Klitschko is welcome to a title shot due to his status as a former champion under that organization. Peter is essentially at the mercy of the WBC, and it appears his best hopes will be to get a crack at the winner of the seemingly inevitable Klitschko-Maskaev bout.
While things might not bode too well for Peter at present, things are looking awfully good for fulfillment of the “Klitschko Dream”—that, of course, being the dream of brothers Vitali and Wladimir to simultaneously hold portions of the heavyweight crown. If rumors of an April showdown between Vitali and Oleg do come to fruition, than there is a very good chance that this dream can be realized. Especially if Wladimir can retain his title this March.
Will the “Klitschko Dream” of heavyweight domination become a reality? I suppose only time will tell…
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