What's the deal with these? Thompson is the mandatory for the WBO and Povetkin is the mandatory for the IBF. So does that mean he has to fight both in a row now or just one? If just one, which one takes precedence? If a unified champ has 3 or 4 belts, he can't possibly defend every mandatory every year or 8 or 9 months, so how does this work? Anyone have a link to the specific rules or are there any?
Yes, it appears as if Vlad will have to fight Thomspon first, then Povetkin, at least at this time. If Vitali does not fight Peter, then Vlad can't wait to get Peter back into the ring, Emanuel Steward also wants that fight. However, HBO was very disappointed that they could not get a commitment from King or Peter for a fight with Vlad. It appears as if Vitali will have to take King and Peter to court to force a fight that has a signed aggrement with the WBC. Vitali is the Emeritus Champion and has that right. Don King will do anything he can to keep that fight from happening.
there are some specific rules that facilitate defending against mandatories for unified champs. the WBA champ does not need to defend against mandatories if he unifies. The WBO is allowed more time in between defences.
Before fighting Sultan, Wlad fought two IBF mandatories in a row, Austin and Brewster. They should get off his back for a while, and let him unify these titles.
It's the WBO that has a time factor. I hope we hear from Vitali soon, it's all up to him. Vlad has IBF and WBO titles. Probably have to fight Thompson, but if he were to get a fight with Peter, perhaps Thompson would take a step aside fee? I would hope so. Peter refused to take several million for a step aside fee for Vitali. It's a shame.
Vladimir, in my opinion, needs to fight Thompson in the next 3 months; this would get this guy out of the way. He is not injured, does not need a long camp as he is already in shape from the last fight, therefore, he needs to get back in the ring ASAP. He shouldn't have any problem getting Thompson to sign to fight...THEN Vladimir can get focused on ANY unification fight....Vitali wants to fight Peter, so let him. If Vitali wants to fight Peter, then there is no need for Vlad to wait around to try and negotiate a fight contract with Peter and Don King...that is simply waisting time!
agreed. the sooner the better. id prefer povetkin but thompson is a legit top 10 guy. knock that guy out, let peter and vitali go at it, then try to unify with the valuev-chagaev winner. if he can't get the wba champ, fight the second mandatory instead. hopefully by the end of the year, wlad will hold 3 titles and vitali will hold the wbc. :deal but there is no excuse for wlad not to fight 3x this year. true but people are being way too hard on him after 1 lackluster fight, one in which he probably won 10 or 11 rounds. lol. he did knock out his previous 4 opponents.
USTV is biased against Klitschkos and most US Fans do not know any better or are simply prejudiced. Vitali will probably have to fight King and Peter in court.
