WBC gives Vitali an extension on purse bid for Stiverne fight

By Boxing News - 07/30/2013 - Comments

vitali35By Allan Fox: WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (45-2, 41 KO’s) has reportedly been given an extension by the World Boxing Council after asking for one for his purse bid with mandatory challenger Bermane Stiverne (23-1-1, 20 KO’s). It’s unknown what Vitali is waiting for as far as the purse bid goes. He seems to want to take the fight, but he’s postponed the purse bid twice.

Stiverne’s manager Camille Estephan isn’t happy about it, and he’s wondering what’s going on with the 42-year-old Vitali. Estephan doesn’t understand why Vitali keeps getting extension after extension for the purse bid.

Estephan said to ESPN “It’s a bit frustrating to hear only two days before the scheduled purse bid that it has once again been postponed. We are waiting for a new date…the longer Klitschko plays politics rather than man up and fight, the more ready we will be and the older he will get. Bermane will KO him.”

The WBC needs to be firm with Vitali and give him one last shot by setting a deadline. If Vitali can’t make it then they need to strip him of the title and let Stiverne fight one of the contenders for the vacant WBC title rather than having Vitali postpone the purse bids.

Vitali hasn’t fought since last year when he beat Manuel Charr in an optional title defense in Moscow, Russia. Before that, Vitali had another optional title defense in beating Britain’s Dereck Chisroa by a 12 round unanimous decision last year in February.

Vitali really had what you’d call a big fight since he captured the WBC title against Samuel Peter back in 2008. Vitali has successfully defended his WBC title 9 times, but without any of the fights coming against big names or against guys that had a chance to beat him. Vitali recently had the option to fight David Haye, but instead he chose not to take the fight for some reason.



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