After months of negotiations and accusations it looked like boxing fans would finally be getting the significant heavyweight title fight they desired between WBC champion Oleg Maskaev and top contender Samuel Peter. The two power-punchers were all set to get it on October 6th at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The oft-delayed fight however hit yet another snag last Thursday when the champion returned from his running exercises complaining of an injured back. After visiting doctors Maskaev, 34-5, 26 KO's, was deemed incapable of defending his portion of the heavyweight championship. Due to three herniated discs and two bulging discs in his back Maskaev will likely not be able to fight at all until the first quarter of 2008 (over a year after his last win, a lopsided unanimous decision over the nondescript Peter Okhello).

On the other hand, Peter, 28-1, 22 KO's has not fought at all since his repeat win over James Toney in January. Earlier this week the WBC awarded Peter with the distinction of "interim" champion with the caveat being that Maskaev and Peter will fight for the full version of the title upon the champion's (healthy) return.

Fred Kesch however, Maskaev's long-time manager, was predictably upset about the WBC's decision. "Give us a chance to come back and fight," Kesch said in an interview with Fightnews. "Give us six weeks; we'll let you know if he's all right. Don't treat him like he's nobody and kick him to the curb because he has an injury!"

"They never declared an interim title when (Evander) Holyfield was hurt," said Kesch. "They never declared an interim title when (Mike) Tyson was hurt."

"The WBC is diluting it's importance," Kesch continued. "It makes the organization look like it's not worth anything. Give him the time to recuperate. If it looks like he's going to be out longer than give Peter an interim title," Kesch said. "But give Oleg a chance."

In the meantime, Maskaev has since left his training camp in the Poconos, Pennsylvania to return to his home in West Sacramento, California. He started physical therapy 8:30 AM in New York on Wednesday and will continue to do so in California. Maskaev will meet with a physical therapist once a week while also completing exercises at home. If all goes well the 38-year-old Maskaev should be able to resume normal boxing training methods in four to six weeks.

Peter meanwhile will defend his interim title next weekend at the Garden against Jameel McCline. It is the third straight opponent change for McCline in the past month. McCline was originally scheduled to take on Vitali Klitschko on September 22, but Klitschko pulled out with an injury himself. McCline was then set to face DaVarryl Williamson on the Maskaev-Peter undercard but has now been bumped up to take Maskaev's place.

McCline's eligibility to fight for a portion of the title however remains a point of contention. He lost his last fight in January against Nicolay Valuev when his knee gave out in the third round. He is just 7-4 (4) in his last 11 fights.