Q & A with Oleg Maskaev

Interview with Oleg Maskaev, from yesterday. mma365: How has training been for you so far? Oleg Maskaev: Good, good, I'm training hard. mma365: Your training and running in the mountains, do you believe this will give you an edge over Rahman, stamina wise? Oleg Maskaev: Yes. Exactly. What is wrong with that? mma365: Nothing. What do you think about weight-training in boxing, is it just for show, or does it really help a boxer? Oleg Maskaev: It really helps, yes, it helps alot. mma365: Do you do some weight training yourself? Oleg Maskaev: Yes. mma365: Rahman didn't look his best in his last two fights against Barrett and Toney, have you watched his last two fights, and what do you think of them? Oleg Maskaev: Actually, I watched all his fights. mma365: What did you think of the last two? Oleg Maskaev: He did OK. mma365: What about his fight with Barrett? Oleg Maskaev: Yeah that fight you know, against Barrett, he didn't look good the first five, I believe, four rounds, there wasn't much action. mma365: What does winning the WBC belt to you at this point of your career? Oleg Maskaev: It means alot, to be a champ, to continue my career, and to be a real champion. I wanted to be a champ since I was a child, since I was a kid. mma365: Rahman has been labeled as Americas "Last line of Defense", what can you attribute to the fall of the American dominace over the heavyweight division, was it just a matter of time after the fall of the Soviet Union? Oleg Maskaev: I can't say anything about this right now, but there is something to say about this a little bittle later. It's going to be a surprise. mma365: What are you thoughts about Rahman as a person? Oleg Maskaev: As a person? I don't know him very well as a person. mma365: The last time you fought Rahman, the result was a spectacular knockout in the 8th round, what is your prediction for this fight, knockout or decesion? Oleg Maskaev: I don't have any predictions for this fight right now, I know one thing, its going to be a tough fight, and the best will win, thats what I believe in. mma365: Thank you for the interview, the entire Russian community in New York is behind you for the fight, good luck! Oleg Maskaev: Thank you very much.