The petition
I petition the WBC to sanction the heavyweight boxing match between the current WBC Champion, Oleg Maskaev and Vitali Klitschko, "Champion Emeritus". I petition this request based on two significant issues.
(1) Vitali Klitschko retired as an undefeated champion having never lost as WBC Heavyweight Champion due to injuries. In December 2005, the WBC guaranteed and declared that if he returned, as a former champion Vitali Klitschko would be entitled to immediately fight the World Champion.
(2) As per the WBC rule 1.21, b) '….All WBC recognized champions are obligated to make at least one yearly mandatory defense against the designated official challenger.' By the WBC's own rules, Maskaev has until August 2007 to fight a mandatory defense, and the WBC should not deprive him of the rights given him by their own rules and regulations.
1. Maskaev has 12 months to make a mandatory defense per WBC Rule 1.21, b. Mandatory Defense Obligations
2. He has the right to fight before August 2007 to maximize his earning potential.
3. Under your own rules and regulations for Championship Defense Obligations, Rule 1.21,b, x states:
'Under extreme special circumstances, such as a unification bout or a proposed bout with a legendary boxer, that could result in a great promotion, prestige, and importance for the sport of boxing, the WBC may sanction such bout as a mandatory bout. If a mandatory challenger had already been appointed by the WBC, the winner of the special bout will then face the mandatory challenger without an intervening contest'
4. WBC Rule 1.21, a) Voluntary Defense Obligations states '…..The defenses must be against:
i) any of the top ten (10) rated contenders;
i) upon a majority vote of the Board of Governors, any boxer rated from 11 to 19 positions;
ii) a champion or a top-10 rated boxer of another immediate lower or higher weight division, subject to the majority vote of the Board of Governors;
iii) a former or retired world champion upon majority vote of the Board of Governors; and
iv) another boxing organization's champion recognized by the WBC, upon majority vote of the Board of Governors.
Vitali Klitschko is the WBC Champion Emeritus, but more importantly, he is a former WBC champion who never lost the championship in the ring. He was undefeated as the WBC World Heavyweight Champion.
Furthermore, the WBC, upon Klitschko retiring the title, publicly announced that if he decided to continue his career, he would receive an immediate opportunity to fight for the title against whoever held the WBC Heavyweight Championship at that time. We ask that you make good on this promise now.
I implore the WBC to sanction the Klitschko/Maskaev fight and publicly announce this decision in the near future.
I support that this petition be forwarded to the following body:
José Sulaimán Chagnón, President
World Boxing Council
Cuzco 872, Colonia Lindavista 07300
Mexico, D. F. MEXICO
telephone: 52(55) 5119-5276
email: info@wbcboxing.com
Executive Vice President
Rubén Martínez, Spain
Vice Presidents
John Allotei Cofie, Ghana
Héctor García, Puerto Rico
Robert M. Lee, Hawaii
Jaechul Chin, Korea
Vice President at Large
Edmund Lipinski, Russia
Treasurer
Juan J. Sánchez, USA
Executive Secretary
Mauricio Sulaimán, Mexico
General Secretary
Gabriel A. Peñagarícano, Puerto Rico
Legal Counselor
Robert J. B. Lenhardt, USA
Juan Francisco Torres Landa, Mexico
Permanent Vice President
Yewkow Hayashi, Japan
Executive Lifetime
Honorary Vice Presidents
Newton Campos, Brazil
Dr. Joseph Fofe, Cameroon
Bernard Restout, France
International Secretaries
Frank Quill, Australia
Rex Walker, USA
Franco Falcinelli, Italy
Humbert Furgoni, France
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