Maskaev vs Rahman in the works.

[DiegoFuego]

Well this is a fight that will lead to the tournament because Maskaev beat Sam for the #1 spot to fight Rahman. I don't know if a tournmanet will happen, Byrd doesn't want to do business with Don King anymore and Brewster is not too happy as well. Rahman also left, only guy left is Ruiz.

Yeah, I think everybody's gotta fight a mandatory before the tournament can happen. I'm thinking Rahman-Maskaev, Ruiz-Valuev, Byrd-Wlad II, and Brewster-Toney to get the ball rolling. Oh yeah, I think the Byrd and Brewster opponents should be flip-flopped to be fair (Wlad is looking for an easy fight), but if it happens this way, I won't complain too much.

[Derranged]

Yeah, I think everybody's gotta fight a mandatory before the tournament can happen. I'm thinking Rahman-Maskaev, Ruiz-Valuev, Byrd-Wlad II, and Brewster-Toney to get the ball rolling. Oh yeah, I think the Byrd and Brewster opponents should be flip-flopped to be fair (Wlad is looking for an easy fight), but if it happens this way, I won't complain too much.

Look at it like this. As a fan, wouldnt you want Byrd out of the picture as soon as possible? His fights are boring and it seems like Wlad is the only one that will definitely beat him.

[DiegoFuego]

As a fan, I would be embarrassed if Wladimir Klitschko held a heavyweight title. Let Toney beat Byrd and Brewster KO Wlad's gay ass again.

[Derranged_]

Yeah, I think everybody's gotta fight a mandatory before the tournament can happen. I'm thinking Rahman-Maskaev, Ruiz-Valuev, Byrd-Wlad II, and Brewster-Toney to get the ball rolling. Oh yeah, I think the Byrd and Brewster opponents should be flip-flopped to be fair (Wlad is looking for an easy fight), but if it happens this way, I won't complain too much.

I think this manadatory crap is ridculuous! Why can't the governing bodies for these organizations(IBF,WBC,etc.) decide that the best thing to do is have the other beltholders as manadatory fights? Is a unified champion less desireable for the different boxing organizations?

[DiegoFuego]

Of course. Mandatories are based on who the organization wants to see the champion defend against. If we have a unified champ, that's 2 fights a year tops for the heavyweight title; thus, champions get stripped and titles dispersed. But we need this tournament to have a legit champ, then belts won't matter; thus, the reason the organizations don't want a tourney.

[Derranged]

As a fan, I would be embarrassed if Wladimir Klitschko held a heavyweight title. Let Toney beat Byrd and Brewster KO Wlad's gay ass again.

Why would you be embarrased? Wlad is one of the most talented and hardest hitting among the elite HW's. He already beat Byrd, he already showed that he can easily beat Brewster so long as he doesnt gass out, would most likely beat Ruiz, and has a good chance at beating Rahman or Toney. I dont see the problem. Does his skin color bother you?

[Derranged_]

Of course. Mandatories are based on who the organization wants to see the champion defend against. If we have a unified champ, that's 2 fights a year tops for the heavyweight title; thus, champions get stripped and titles dispersed. But we need this tournament to have a legit champ, then belts won't matter; thus, the reason the organizations don't want a tourney.

I'm not very knowledgeable about how the organizations function so maybe you could enlighten me and the rest of the posters on this forum who don't know? First, what are their goals? Are they organised as non-for-profit en****** or something else?

[Bozo_no no]

Rahman also left, only guy left is Ruiz.

Rhaman signed a multi fight contract with King last month.

I don't but for a second that he's walking away. There's going to much more to this story.

Last time King wanted to persuade Rahman (after the 1st Lewis fight) all it took was a brif case full of cash.

Rahman is broke, and the Toney fight and ensuing tourney are the best options for Rock money wise.

[DiegoFuego]

Why would you be embarrased? Wlad is one of the most talented and hardest hitting among the elite HW's. He already beat Byrd, he already showed that he can easily beat Brewster so long as he doesnt gass out, would most likely beat Ruiz, and has a good chance at beating Rahman or Toney. I dont see the problem. Does his skin color bother you?

No, I supported Kevin McBride in the Tyson fight. Look, I would be absolutely embarrassed to see a guy John Ruiz would knock out own a portion of the title.

[enadeus]

Rhaman signed a multi fight contract with King last month.

I don't but for a second that he's walking away. There's going to much more to this story.

Last time King wanted to persuade Rahman (after the 1st Lewis fight) all it took was a brif case full of cash.

Rahman is broke, and the Toney fight and ensuing tourney are the best options for Rock money wise.

Just check boxing talk, I'm not getting this out of my ass.

"Word has reached **********.com that WBC heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman, who may be a promotional free agent as this goes to print, is looking to face Oleg Maskaev instead of James "Lights-Out" Toney as promoter Don King was planning."

and...

"Sources close to the situation have informed **********.com that IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd is now a promotional free agent."