By James Blears

WBC President Jose Sulaiman says that the decision of Vitali Klitschko to return to boxing will provide a “New air of enthusiasm in the heavyweight division.”

As an emeritus champion, or legend,  WBC rules mean that Vitali could have an immediate  crack at the current champion Oleg Maskaev. But Sulaiman says that the Board of Governors must vote on the next step, and their ruling is expected within ten days.

If they ordered an Eastern block confrontation the winner would then be ordered to fight number one challenger Samuel Peter next.

Don Jose said, it depends on the Governors decision, but if the fight happened, he would be happy if took place in Russia.

He also revealed that Vitali had discussed with him, the possibility of resuming his ring career as long ago as when the two met at the WBC’s Convention in Croatia last year. Vitali has retired in 2005 due to a knee injury.

But the momentum appreciably gathered pace a few days ago, when Vitali phoned Sulaiman at his home, “full of enthusiasm,” to explain that the doctors have given him a clean bill of health to return, he was back training in the gym and feels great.

The WBC is awaiting the medical report. Don Jose said: “In his telephone conversation with me, Vitali was very determined. And I think that Vitali Klitschko’s return will be a progressive injection to the Heavyweight Division. There’s no doubt about that.

“He was at his peak when he retired, he’s still at the right age, and so we’ll have to see.”