By James Blears
WBC Chief Jose Sulaiman says that Vitali Klitschko is not a quitter and he will defend his title against Hasim Rahman.
This is actually the fourth time the fight has been ditched- each time due to Vitali’s injury problems.
This time he badly twisted a knee while sparring and will probably need surgery.
Don Jose is waiting for the phone to ring within the next several days and for Vitali to be on the other end, advising and appraising him of the current situation. But he stressed:
“Ninety days is the longest the WBC could wait."
“Hasim is very frustrated. He didn’t make his money, he’s spent money in training. He wanted to become the only undisputed champion and he expects the WBC to name him the heavyweight champion of the world. And we will know more about it by this coming Friday."
“And I also feel terribly sorry for Vitali. He showed his courage when he fought Lennox Lewis. Then I knew the real Vitali Klitschko. And I’m sure he must be desperate and very frustrated about what happened now."
“Vitali Klitschko is NOT a quitter. When I saw him with Lennox and the enormous wounds on his eyebrows, and he didn’t want to quit, that showed the world he’s not a quitter.”"
The fight is now due to be re-scheduled for next year and Don Jose remains upbeat and confident. He insisted:
“It will be a fight to remember I can tell you. Both have a lot of pride, a lot of dignity and a lot of honor. And I think that will all be there in the ring.”