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Former WBC heavyweight champion and current WBC Champion Emeritus Vitali Klitschko is still chomping at the bit to regain the WBC world belt. Here is what Vitali had to say to ********* about his comeback, Samuel Peter's recent scare against Jameel McCline, and Oleg Maskaev are more during the 45th annual WBC convention in Manila, Philippines at the luxurious Manila Hotel.
You said at this time last year in Dubrovnik, Croatia (Sight of the 44th WBC convention) that you weren't going to come back. After more consideration, you decided to return. Following a lot of turmoil between you, Maskaev and Peter, you decided on a comeback fight with Jameel McCline, only to get injured again. Do you still want to fight again?
I still want to make history and join my brother as the only brothers to hold heavyweight titles together. I slipped a disc in my back, had a successful surgery the next day and felt great. If I would have been allowed, I would've still gone through with the fight. But my doctor told me to take two months to properly heal.
After your fight with McCline was called off, and the Mandatory defense by Maskaev against Peter was called off due to Maskaev's injury, McCline and Peter squared off. Were you surprised by McCline's near upset of Peter?
No. I chose McCline as my opponent because he is big, strong and has a good punch. Peter showed he also doesn't have a good chin either.
Given the near collapse of Peter against McCline, what is your view of the outcome of Maskaev – Peter in February?
O.K., Maskaev has a very long amateur background. Peter has not as much. Both guys have a weak chins. But I want to face Maskaev.
This goes back to your amateur loss to him, doesn't it?
(Visibly irritated by the memory) Yes. This guy is a liar. A LIAR, LIAR, LIAR! He tells everyone he knocked me out (the bout was stopped due to a small cut under the more safety prone amateur system, by Klitscko's coach). He told me later that he was just using this for some publicity for himself and it's no big deal. I really want him next.
So will you take an interim fight and look for the winner or will you wait to face the winner of their rescheduled February 2nd match?
I would still take a tune up fight, but I think I will wait to see the outcome of this fight. If one of them gets injured before the fight, I will be ready to step in immediately and face the other guy, whoever it is!
Imagine if Maskaev pulls out again, it could happen
You said at this time last year in Dubrovnik, Croatia (Sight of the 44th WBC convention) that you weren't going to come back. After more consideration, you decided to return. Following a lot of turmoil between you, Maskaev and Peter, you decided on a comeback fight with Jameel McCline, only to get injured again. Do you still want to fight again?
I still want to make history and join my brother as the only brothers to hold heavyweight titles together. I slipped a disc in my back, had a successful surgery the next day and felt great. If I would have been allowed, I would've still gone through with the fight. But my doctor told me to take two months to properly heal.
After your fight with McCline was called off, and the Mandatory defense by Maskaev against Peter was called off due to Maskaev's injury, McCline and Peter squared off. Were you surprised by McCline's near upset of Peter?
No. I chose McCline as my opponent because he is big, strong and has a good punch. Peter showed he also doesn't have a good chin either.
Given the near collapse of Peter against McCline, what is your view of the outcome of Maskaev – Peter in February?
O.K., Maskaev has a very long amateur background. Peter has not as much. Both guys have a weak chins. But I want to face Maskaev.
This goes back to your amateur loss to him, doesn't it?
(Visibly irritated by the memory) Yes. This guy is a liar. A LIAR, LIAR, LIAR! He tells everyone he knocked me out (the bout was stopped due to a small cut under the more safety prone amateur system, by Klitscko's coach). He told me later that he was just using this for some publicity for himself and it's no big deal. I really want him next.
So will you take an interim fight and look for the winner or will you wait to face the winner of their rescheduled February 2nd match?
I would still take a tune up fight, but I think I will wait to see the outcome of this fight. If one of them gets injured before the fight, I will be ready to step in immediately and face the other guy, whoever it is!
Imagine if Maskaev pulls out again, it could happen
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