On September 24 in New York, United States District Judge Deborah A. Batts granted the WBC’s motion to stay the lawsuit brought on behalf of Oleg Maskaev and Dennis Rappaport Productions, Ltd. against the WBC and other parties, relating to the purse split for the Maskaev vs. Samuel Peter fight that was to be held October 6. The lawsuit was suspended in favor of the compulsory mediation and binding mandatory arbitration provided for in the WBC Rules and Regulations..
WBC Legal Counsel Robert J.B. Lenhardt commented, “The WBC Rules provide that all parties, including any boxer, promoter, manager or other person who participates in the activities or events of the WBC, by doing so, agrees that their exclusive remedies in any dispute against the WBC are administrative remedies, further subject to mediation and mandatory arbitration before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“As a competition between individuals, boxing is a sport in which there are constantly changing circumstances – as we have seen in the heavyweight division in recent days. The WBC must be free to make rulings that address those circumstances without constant threats of litigation, just like the governing bodies in other sports.
“The judge’s important ruling in this case confirms the alternate dispute provisions of the WBC’s Rules. This means that when controversies arise, the parties must ultimately mediate with the WBC, in a respectful and appropriate manner, to solve their differences. If that is unsuccessful, the controversies will be decided by the independent and globally-respected Court of Arbitration for Sport, a judicial body with specific expertise in sports, and therefore the ability to make the correct determination in each case.”
Mr. Lenhardt concluded, “The entire boxing world is on notice of Judge Batts’ ruling. The WBC is gratified that she set this correct and just precedent. Everyone should know that all parties dealing with the WBC must adhere to our rules, including their mediation and arbitration provisions, if they want the benefits that flow from the most prestigious titles in our sport: the World Boxing Council championships.”