Rahman and Maskaev To Battle For WBC Belt
By Michael Woods April 25th, 2006Rahman-Maskaev rematch in the cards
It’s looking like Hasim Rahman will defend his World Boxing Council heavyweight title against Oleg Maskaev, the Kazakhstanian comeback kid, on Aug. 12.
Maskaev’s promoter, Long Island real estate mogul Dennis Rappaport, said that he and Rahman’s promoter, Bob Arum, will try to hash out a deal for a fight that would likely land in Las Vegas.
If satisfactory terms can’t be agreed upon, the bout would go to purse bid, with Rahman enjoying a 70-30 split in pay. The WBC has given the dealmakers until Sunday to come together.
The bout between the 33-year-old Rahman (41-5-2, 33 KOs), and the 37-year-old Maskaev (32-5, 25 KOs) is a rematch of a Nov. 6, 1999 scrap in Atlantic City. Maskaev, now a Staten Island resident, won by eighth-round KO.
Rappaport said that the fight would be offered on pay-per-view, which represents a monumental comeback for his fighter, who looked to be at the end of the line when he suffered KO losses to Kirk Johnson, Lance Whitaker and Corey Sanders between 2000 and 2002.
“It’s been a humbling experience,� Rappaport said. “His promoter released him, his trainer told him he should never fight again. But he’s taken baby steps.�
Rahman was handed the WBC belt when Vitali Klitschko retired in November, and defended his title with a 12-round draw last month against James Toney.
Maskaev defeated Sinan Samil Sam on Nov. 12, 2005 in Germany (UD12) to earn the WBC top slot. He has won his last ten straight fights.
(Email news tips to Michael Woods at Fightwrite@gmail.com)
April 25th, 2006 at 1:52 pm
if it happens that they fight,and rahman wins,he would become a hero!
because,russians are trying to take all the belts!!!
April 25th, 2006 at 5:20 pm
Rahman needs to man up and whoop these Russkies and keep the belts at home. He needs to do some serious training and be for real about his business. I dont think so though - I think Rahman is nothing more than an above average street enforcer period. I never thought I’d see the day when African American fighters are completely dominated by white European fighters. That day is here and it’s here now - congrats to the Russians!
April 26th, 2006 at 4:59 am
Yep,these Eastern Euro white boys are kicking butt. These guys were never allowed in boxing before.They always had great amateur teams and they’re here to stay but I have to say,what does it matter where people come from in boxing anyway? Boxing is a world sport.They are all people on this earth and I won’t gloat because I’m white.Fair play to them because they train well and take their job seriously.
April 26th, 2006 at 6:56 am
For Rahman to win this fight, he must NOT fight the way he fought Toney. He was simply hit too much by Toney, who at this weight division doesn’t seem to have the same power he had at lighter weight classes — a problem that Maskaev doesn’t have. The Rock must fight at the end of his jab. If Rahman decides to fight on the inside, Oleg will most likely be more effective than Hasim. So effective that Oleg might make it a short night and continue the upset trend that the heavyweight division has been going through as of late.
April 26th, 2006 at 10:57 am
The Rock is diminished. His zenith was that special night in 2001 when he blasted Lennox Lewis. Even in good physical shape he looked woeful in his ugly draw with James Toney. Maskaev hasn’t lost in four years and is the better fighter right now. Rock has a punchers chance and we all know that Oleg can be hurt but Oleg can hurt Rock, too, as we saw once before. Oleg will pound him down for a late rounds stoppage.
April 26th, 2006 at 11:15 am
Atleast you Americans have some decent heavys, spare a thought for the brits..
April 26th, 2006 at 7:52 pm
Then spare a thought for us poor Aussies, we have got nothing, they keep trying to pass Kali Meehan off as an Aussie, thats how bad we are going.