BoxRec

Seems that way, first Chagaev and now Maskaev. It appears the Heavyweight picture is no closer to being resolved.

NEW YORK - WBC heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev pulled out of his Oct. 6 title defence against Samuel Peter on Friday, citing a back injury.

Maskaev's decision to postpone his mandatory defence infuriated Peter's representatives, who called on the WBC to stage an interim title fight on the same date at Madison Square Garden. Peter, a Nigerian boxer considered the sport's top rising heavyweight, has been chasing a title shot for two years.

"We are shocked and disappointed that Maskaev is pulling out of the fight," promoter Dino Duva said. "We intend to verify this injury and the extent of it.

"Sam Peter has waited too long for this title fight. He can't wait around for Maskaev to get healthy. Samuel Peter should fight for the heavyweight championship Oct. 6."

Maskaev (34-5, 26 knockouts) won his title with a 12th-round knockout of Hasim Rahman last August, but hasn't fought since beating Peter Okhello in December. Peter (28-1, 22 KOs) hasn't lost in four fights since dropping a decision to Wladimir Klitschko in September 2005 despite knocking down the current IBF champion three times.

The bout was scheduled to be the first fight on the Garden's new ring after its 82-year-old ring was donated to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Lets not mince words, Maskaev is hugley fortunate to have a version of the heavyweight title at his advanced age - he was (rightly I thought)declared washed up several years ago.

Sam Peter would have handily dismantled him IMO - by pulling out he is just delaying the inevitable.

TerribleTerry wrote:Lets not mince words, Maskaev is hugley fortunate to have a version of the heavyweight title at his advanced age - he was (rightly I thought)declared washed up several years ago.

Sam Peter would have handily dismantled him IMO - by pulling out he is just delaying the inevitable.

Peter was pretty awful in his fight with Klitchsko and first fight with Toney. I fully expect him to catch Maskaev and KO him. But wouldn't be surprised if it is after the halfway stage and Maskaev ahead on points.

Peter is not exactly the second coming of Mike Tyson himself.

I condemn anyone who pulls out, it's indecent exposure and it's a crime, look into it!

the # of times this fight has been off is pathetic. Maskaev tried to fight Vitali, the WBC tried to accomodate Vitali, then they decided to give Peter his shot (you know, he won 2 title elims), then Don King delayed purse bids by asking for a 50-50 purse split for Peter, then the cheque for purse bids from Peter's promoters Duva Boxing bounced... and now that we get back to it, Maskaev's bloody pulled out!

Also, too many fights are being cancelled. It's beyond a joke.

another pull out.

now the yanks know how us brits felt a few years back.