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Maskaev-Peter title fight confirmed for Mexican venue

James Blears
MEXICO CITY
Thu Dec 20, 2007 8:14pm EST

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The World Boxing Council heavyweight title fight between Russian Oleg Maskaev and Samuel Peter of Nigeria will be held in the Mexican resort of Cancun on March 8, WBC president Jose Sulaiman said on Thursday.

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The bout will mark the first world heavyweight championship staged in Mexico.

Maskaev was to defend the title against Peter in New York's Madison Square Garden last October, but he had to pull out due to a back injury and Peter was declared interim champion.

The fight was rescheduled for February 2, but now has been changed to March.

"The fight will be at the Beto Avilar Baseball Park and that is going to make history in Mexico," said Sulaiman.

"We must spread the promotion of boxing in the world. We cannot concentrate it in Nevada. Las Vegas is a very important place ... but the world is the owner of boxing.

"We want boxing to be a sport of the world, not of the casinos. A sport of the people."

The winner of the Maskaev-Peter bout is due to fight former WBC champion Vitali Klitschko, who has declared himself fit after initially retiring due to back and knee injuries.

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
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