Comments Thread For: Wilder vs. Povetkin: WBC Gives Update on Investigation

[Weltschmerz]

I didn't realise Wilder had accused him of juicing before. But my question would be why a defamation lawsuit now, but not then? It makes little sense to do it now that the fight will most likely be enforced.

I think Povetkin and his team didn't pay notice to Wilder's accusations as of previous year, which were made prior to them being agreed and legally contracted to fight. Andrey Ryabinsky, Povetkin's Russian promoter, filed a $34.5 million lawsuit against Wilder a couple weeks ago, seeking for both breach of contract and defamation. From their statement,

...the US side hurriedly made a public statement about the fight being cancelled and ran to the press accusing the Russian boxer of taking banned drugs and lying about it. Similar statements were published repeatedly in the press.Andrey Ryabinsky, head of World of Boxing: "The Wilder side has behaved in an unsporting and disrespectful way. I’m convinced they did this deliberately, because they were afraid of the fight with Povetkin. But we will not let this pass unchallenged."

http://www.badlefthook.com/2016/6/24/12024820/andrey-ryabinsky-files-34-5-million-dollar-lawsuit-against-deontay-wilder

Now, what all this mess with lawsuits and what it maybe means for making the fight actually happening in the end, who knows.. Can they negotiate for another date when being in a bitter legal battle at the same time? The WBC has yet to make a ruling too. This is a mess. Let me add I don't blame Wilder for the fight not happening, Povetkin acted unprofessionally by failing the meldonium test because all this **** could have been avoided.

[PACnPBFsuck]

A shyt storm and WADA and the WBC are shook.

[Fury4daWIN]

I think people just don't understand the reality of professional sport today, and the role pharmaceuticals play in it. To give up legal means of improving your endurance/performance/health would be to place yourself in a disadvantaged position voluntarily.

That's a good point. People are snarkily questioning why Povetkin was taking a heart medication if he was a healthy athlete as if that has any bearing on the situation. It doesn't. Of course he was using it for performance enhancing benefits, but the fact of the matter was it was legal to use at the time so as far as the issue of whether he was cheating or not is concerned it's cut and dry. People are bringing their own personal moral codes to the argument and muddying the issue.

Performance enhancers in and of themselves are not cheating, as per the rules of the sport. They only become so if WADA decides it. That's something a lot of fans seem not to understand. It's easy to see why of course. There's a simplistic narrative built up over the years that PEDs automatically equals cheating, but it's blinded a lot of fans to the truth of the situation.

All athletes try to enhance their performance in one way or another. If they didn't then they would suck at their sport and probably do themselves out of millions of pounds worth of endorsements and suchlike. If that's your sole livelihood then why the hell would you disadvantage yourself against the competition knowing full well that, provided they're not taking anything illegal in addition, it will result in no punishments for them whatsoever? It would be insane.

[JAB5239]

I think Povetkin and his team didn't pay notice to Wilder's accusations as of previous year, which were made prior to them being agreed and legally contracted to fight. Andrey Ryabinsky, Povetkin's Russian promoter, filed a $34.5 million lawsuit against Wilder a couple weeks ago, seeking for both breach of contract and defamation. From their statement,

http://www.badlefthook.com/2016/6/24/12024820/andrey-ryabinsky-files-34-5-million-dollar-lawsuit-against-deontay-wilder

Now, what all this mess with lawsuits and what it maybe means for making the fight actually happening in the end, who knows.. Can they negotiate for another date when being in a bitter legal battle at the same time? The WBC has yet to make a ruling too. This is a mess. Let me add I don't blame Wilder for the fight not happening, Povetkin acted unprofessionally by failing the meldonium test because all this **** could have been avoided.

Than the question begs both fighters... what is more important, a frivolous lawsuit trying to get paid by the actions of WADA and the WBC? Or getting the fight made in a timely manner and making that garuanteed money as well as fight each others top perceived fighter at the moment? I'm not a legal expert, but I think lawsuits are used many times as leverage to make something else happen. Lets hope this is the case from both sides.

[Weltschmerz]

Than the question begs both fighters... what is more important, a frivolous lawsuit trying to get paid by the actions of WADA and the WBC? Or getting the fight made in a timely manner and making that garuanteed money as well as fight each others top perceived fighter at the moment? I'm not a legal expert, but I think lawsuits are used many times as leverage to make something else happen. Lets hope this is the case from both sides.

Indeed. At the end of the day, we as fans of the sport want to see this potentially very good fight. This is why I hope it still gets made this year, not only because I'm a Povetkin supporter, but as a fight fan first and foremost.

[JAB5239]

That's a good point. People are snarkily questioning why Povetkin was taking a heart medication if he was a healthy athlete as if that has any bearing on the situation. It doesn't. Of course he was using it for performance enhancing benefits, but the fact of the matter was it was legal to use at the time so as far as the issue of whether he was cheating or not is concerned it's cut and dry. People are bringing their own personal moral codes to the argument and muddying the issue.

Performance enhancers in and of themselves are not cheating, as per the rules of the sport. They only become so if WADA decides it. That's something a lot of fans seem not to understand. It's easy to see why of course. There's a simplistic narrative built up over the years that PEDs automatically equals cheating, but it's blinded a lot of fans to the truth of the situation.

All athletes try to enhance their performance in one way or another. If they didn't then they would suck at their sport and probably do themselves out of millions of pounds worth of endorsements and suchlike. If that's your sole livelihood then why the hell would you disadvantage yourself against the competition knowing full well that, provided they're not taking anything illegal in addition, it will result in no punishments for them whatsoever? It would be insane.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. If an organizations wants to ban a substance they need to give at least 6 months to a years notice to athletes depending on how long any particular drug stays in a person's system. This seems perfectly fair to me.

[nacho daddy]

I predicted when the Klits got old HW's would turn into a circus with a big mouth bum like wilder being the head clown

[bigjavi973]

I'd still like to know what kind of heart condition PEDvetkin has.