Ivaylo Gotzev: WBC Belt NOT for Sale!

“…do the honorable thing and face us instead of trying to cash out against one of the Klitschkos.”

“The WBC title is not for sale,” flatly states Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter’s manager Ivaylo Gotzev to Dennis Rappaport, promoter of WBC Heavyweight Champion Oleg Maskaev.

Rappaport has been waging a public and private campaign for the WBC to allow Maskaev to avoid facing mandatory challenger Peter in favor of a number of other “big money” opponents.

“He’s out trying to sell the belt to the highest bidder and that’s something that should be beneath the dignity of a WBC Champion. We’ve earned our position not once, but twice, so they should do the honorable thing and face us instead of trying to cash out against one of the Klitschkos.”

Peter (28-1, 22 KOs) has been the WBC’s top contender since beating James Toney for the first time last September. “He’s been going around saying that he’s trying to do what’s best for boxing. That’s ridiculous. The WBC gave him the opportunity to make an easy defense in Russia for some cash. Now it’s time for him to make a mandatory. If he’s so interested in what’s best for boxing, then he should be helping arrange the legitimate #1 heavyweight in the world, Sam Peter, get his first shot at a championship. That’s a fight people want to see.”

Gotzev says after two straight victories over James Toney, his fighter has earned his title shot and Maskaev, who has already made one optional defense of his title, should now face his mandatory obligation like a true champion. “Sam Peter played by the rules to earn his title shot and now it’s Maskaev’s turn to play by them. It’s time for his camp to stop milking the cash cow and face Samuel Peter.”