Moscow. New York. Legal proceedings between the two teams of heavyweight boxers – Ruslan Chagaev and Fres Oquendo have ended amicably. The conflict was resolved after Andrey Ryabinsky, vice-president of the Professional Boxing Federation of Russia and President of the promotion company “World of Boxing” got personally involved in the matter. Chagaev’s next bout will be with Francesco Pianeta on July 11 this year in Germany.

The fight between two heavyweights – Ruslan Chagaev and Fres Oquendo – took place in July of 2014 in Grozny and ended with Chagaev’s securing a sound victory and the WBA title of the regular world heavyweight champion, and later became the fight became the cause of a dispute between the two teams. Oquendo addressed the issue in the New York court, claiming that the terms of the contract were breached. Chagaev’s team also filed a counter-claim with the Moscow court. The confrontation between the two parties got so heated that the upcoming Chagaev vs. Pianeta showdown could have been “put into cold storage”.

However, the lava hot dispute was cooled and mutual disputes were settled with the aid from the president of the promotional company “World of Boxing”, famous Russian businessman – Andrey Ryabinsky. Aware of the heated situation he led diplomatic negotiations and put an end to the rift between the parties.

"Minor conflicts should not obstruct work and achievement of goals. Ruslan must concentrate on the bout with Pianeta, now we can safely say that it will take place in Germany on July 11. Fres is preparing for new events. Everyone has goals and legal disputes are unnecessary. I just helped them; it’s good that things worked out," - Andrey Ryabinsky commented on the situation. 

Akhmat Promotion and Terek Box Event together with Square Ring Promotions and Hitz Boxing jointly confirmed that they have amicably settled the Oquendo vs. Terek Box Event lawsuit and that the Ruslan Chagaev vs. Francesco Pianeta WBA regular World heavyweight championship bout scheduled for July 11, 2015 at the GETEC Arena in Magdeburg, Germany will proceed as scheduled.  Fres Oquendo will get to face the winner of Chagaev vs. Pianeta within 120 days in a WBA title bout to take place in Germany.  The WBA has informed the parties that it will approve the settlement and issue a resolution implementing these conditions.

"Now all of the disputes are finished with. It was very difficult to reach an agreement. We stood our ground and protected our interests. The issue has been exhausted thanks to Andrey Raybinsky involvement. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Mr. Ryabinsky on behalf of our team, the government of the Republic and myself. It is a true fact that professional boxing has overcome serious changes in the past several years, and that is thanks to him. Right now Ruslan is calm and continues his training for the bout in Germany. Mr. Ryabisnky has put in a lot of effort and time so that he could help. Given the uneasy political relations occurring in the world today we especially value the conclusion of a peaceful deal," - shared his opinion Timur Dugazaev, CEO of Akhmat Promotion. 

“This was an extremely complex international dispute involving many different parties with competing interests , a dispute over the opportunity to fight for the crown jewel of our sport—the world heavyweight title,” - said John Wirt, CEO of Square Ring Promotions, co-promoter of Oquendo.

"I want to personally thank Andrey Ryabinsky and his team for the great work and diplomatic talent. Incredible, highly professional work of “World of Boxing” that it demonstrates every time, even in the most unsalvageable situations», - added John Wirt.

“A lot of has been said over the past several months, but one thing both sides have always agreed on is that the boxing event in Grozny last July was the most spectacular boxing event ever staged in terms of production and promotion—it was a mini-Olympics—and President Kadyrov and Timur and their teams should be commended for what they did,” Wirt continued.

“President Kadyrov personally treated both Fres and myself very warmly and hospitably last July and so we are very happy that we were able to resolve this matter amicably and in the spirit of mutual respect.”

“We are very happy that Fres is going to get his shot at the WBA title against the winner of Chagaev vs. Pianeta,” said Bobby Hitz, President of Hitz Boxing.  “Fres was not mentally ready when he fought last July due to the medical complications that happened to his wife and newborn son.  So we are thankful to Fres’ attorneys, Judd Burstein and Peter Schalk, for pursuing a rematch for Fres.  Our thanks also go out to Ramzan Kadyrov and Andrey Ryabinsky for their invaluable participation and help. They helped in getting this matter resolved peacefully so that Fres will ultimately get his shot at the title, when he is 100% ready both physically and mentally.”