I think Peter rejected the offer because he knows he can't beat Vitali and has a very good chance to beat Maskaev.He seems only interested in a belt(nothing wrong with that)at this time no matter how long he can hold onto it.If Peter for some reason is granted the fight with Maskaev, I have my doubts with all of this back and forth between Vitali, he may not give Vitali an imediate shot at his belt which may deter Vitali all together from returning.We can argue untill the cows come home on who deserves to fight who but that is not how the politics of the sport work.Until there is a clearcut way to go about it, nothing will please everyone.