By Andrey Krikunov

Although the arbitration court postponed the potential bout between Vitali Klitschko and Oleg Maskaev, the Russian boxer still can meet the WBC heavyweight champion in the ring if he wins an eliminator bout against the fighter holding the number one ranking of the WBC. Most likely he will face veteran Ray Austin, who currently holds the position.

“Our fight didn’t happen in the autumn but we can’t say that Vitali has once and for all avoided a meeting with me," - told Maskaev to newspaper Segodnya. – "The arbitration court ruled [the fight] out and I have to participate in an eliminator bout to acquire the status of the official contender. So I’ll do it this way. I may not agree with this decision, but it’s what the court said and we’ll follow their way. Maybe it will even be better for me; it’s a good way to prepare and a tough test”.

Oleg Maskaev is already 40, but he claims that he feels great and he is no longer bothered by injuries. Now the Russian boxer is ready to meet in the professional ring the opponent against whom he fought as an amateur back in 1991. There are two points of view on that fight. Maskaev is sure that he won that bout while Vitali Klitschko insists that his trainer made him stop during the fight because of injury.

“Vitali tries to avoid fighting me at all costs, - says Oleg. – "I don’t know what the reason is. Our history begun in the amateur boxing [ranks]. We met then and everybody knows the result. Though Vitali may deny it. Have we discussed it with him? I don’t think that Vitali is interested in discussing it because both of us know the result."