Can Vitali Make it to the Starting Gate? By Steve Kim (May 9, 2008) Send this page to friend Give us your feedback If Vitali Klitschko were a thoroughbred, he would've have been Eight Belles. Luckily for him, he's just a heavyweight, so he wasn't euthanized. Instead, he was bestowed his 'Champion Emeritus' status by the WBC, and despite not having fought since December of 2004 – when he stopped Danny Williams in eight - he will get the next crack at Samuel Peter for the green belt. The power brokers involved met in Mexico City and averted a purse bid on Thursday afternoon. "Dino (Duva), Don (King), Tom Loeffler and I concluded a deal today, it's a co-promotion," Shelly Finkel would tell Maxboxing. "The fight will happen before October 11th. The site is not set. My gut feel is it will be in Nigeria or Germany." But unlike the fallen filly, who cracked her ankles just a few strides after completing the Kentucky Derby last week, Klitschko (or is it Brittle-ly?), has failed to even get into the starting gate the past few years due to various injuries that scratched scheduled appointments against the likes of Hasim Rahman and Jameel McCline. Will he be able to make it through a training camp without breaking down? "Look, I thought he would (fight) before too, and I hope so," said Finkel. "I spoke to him yesterday, he's training, he feels good." No word on when Klitschko will officially pull out of this fight (We kid, we kid). PARTNERS I always suspected that Oscar De La Hoya having a stature erected outside the Staples Center was more about his company’s relationship with the Anschutz Entertainment Group (which owns and operates the venue) than his actual achievements. That was confirmed today with the announcement of AEG buying into Golden Boy Promotions. The bottom line is this, Magic Johnson and Wayne Gretzky (who never actually played inside the arena but have statues outside the venue) were all-time greats in their sports. Magic is a universally beloved figure. Gretzky is one of the major reasons why there are hockey franchises in cities like Anaheim and San Jose. Oscar, despite all his acclaim, simply isn't at that level in my view, and opinions on him are still very mixed in LA. Doug Fischer stated on 'the Next Round' that it would probably be more appropriate to have his likeness in front of the MGM Grand or Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, where most of his truly memorable moments have taken place. I can't disagree with that. A source tells me that Doug Krikorian (one of my old favorites) of the Long Beach Press-Telegram, takes everybody to task for this decision. Ol' Dougie K is still one of the most insightful columnists around. LATIN FURY Had a chance to recently view the latest installment of Latin Fury from Top Rank that took place on April 26th in Queretaro, Mexico, thanks to Brad 'If you like Pina Colada' Goodman. A few thoughts.... - Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, who stopped Tobias Loriga in nine, certainly isn't his father, but he's not the Mexican Butterbean either. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. But while he may not be a great talent, he does have some tools to work with. The manner in which Top Rank is nurturing him - some would say exploiting his lineage - while making money at the same time, is promoting at its best. And the truth is, Bob Arum doesn't give a damn what anyone thinks of how they're doing it. He simply will not let the media, fans or television networks dictate how he is developed, which is why I call him the Sinatra of promoters - he's going to do it his way. - Hector Camacho Jr, who was put on this card to begin the process of a junior showdown with Chavez Jr., decisioned Kenny Kost over eight rounds. Camacho was in horrid shape, looking flabby and coming in over the middleweight limit. Just looking at his body you can tell he must have the worst work ethic this side of Dustin Diamond on 'Celebrity Fit Club' on VH-1. But if he comes in better physical condition, I think his style will give Chavez fits. - Orlando Salido, folks, don't forget about him. He blew out Renan Acosta in four rounds and looked good in doing so. He gives any 126-pounder - and that includes Jorge Linares - hell. - Jr. featherweight Bernabe Concepcion opened up the telecast by stopping Torrance Daniel in two rounds. He might be the next Filipino dynamo under the guidance of Freddie Roach. In fact, looking at him and his aggressive, heavy-handed style, he even looks a bit like a right-handed version of Manny Pacquiao. CD's I gotta come clean, yesterday at the mall I picked up some CD's and they included the likes of Hall and Oates and Billy Ocean (which at $4.99 for his greatest hits is a downright steal. There was no way in hell that wasn't leaving with me.) Now I always knew of the quality work of Hall and Oates, but like a Mike 'the Body Snatcher' McCallum, until I really delved into the work of Billy O, only then did I begin to really appreciate the overall depth and excellence of his career. Just as McCallum shouldn't be defined for just his hellacious KO of Donald Curry, Ocean shouldn't be just known for 'Carribean Queen'. Yeah, make fun of me all you want, I'll have 'Private Eyes' and 'When the Going Gets Tough' blasting in my ear phones, so I won’t be able to hear you anyway. CALLING IT A DAY And congratulations to former two-time jr. bantamweight champion Martin Castillo, who after his stoppage loss at the hands of Fernando Montiel in February has decided to walk away from the sport. He was a quality fighter and a class act throughout his career. It's good to see a fighter realize that he can no longer pull the trigger or get out of the way like he once did. All the best to him in his future endeavors. FINAL FLURRIES So Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez fainted at the birth of his daughter? Wow, I guess A-Rod really doesn't handle pressure all that well....All I know is this, Kobe Bean Bryant, AKA- 'MVP', better have a statue in front of the Staples by the time it's all said and done. As of now, he's by far the most popular athlete in Los Angeles....Anyone get the sense that those involved with the Mosley-Judah card aren't exactly heartbroken by it's cancellation?....BTW, will Zab Judah start taking more baths now?....FSN will air 'Amazing Sports Stories: Joe Jeannette' this Sunday at 8:00 pm local....I also picked up the first album of 'Living Colour' (again, another great value at just $5.99 - a used copy, but still). Now, here I thought this band was essentially a Buster Douglas - a one-hit wonder - with 'Cult of Personality' but I have to say, the whole album is impressive. For Questions or Comments E-Mail Steve Kim at k9kim@maxboxing.com Today's Boxing Press Discuss this Topic - Go to the forums