Maskaev Wants Extra Arena Floor Padding

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

There are some real fighting words being thrown around for the August 12 pay-per-view rematch between WBC heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman and mandatory challenger Oleg Maskaev. [details]

[SnoopySmurf]

Rahman's only chance is a puncher's chance and he may not get it. Maskaev has too much experience to let that happen. Rahman got his ass handed to him by an old Holyfield, by no-skills Ruiz and who could forget Maskaev knocking him out of the ring?

[SnoopySmurf]

Here's the review of the first fight:

--Wild Night In Jersey - Maskaev KO's Rahman --
By Luis Escobar



November 6, 1999) Atlantic City, NJ. (Atlantic City Convention Center) --


Just when you think that they are ready to count out boxing the sport finds new life and thrills. Coming on the heels of a federal 32-count indictment of IBF president Bob Lee and three of his compatriots for bribery and racketeering charges, the sport looked dead again. However, what makes boxing so compelling is what takes place inside the ropes. That was the case last night when four big heavyweights went to war and two guys exited on their shields.

The Russian version of the old Canadian heavyweight George Chuvalo, Mr. Oleg Maskaev drilled the number sixth-ranked contender Hasim Rahman with a wicked right hand to score a brutal 8th round knockout.

The shot drove Rahman through the ropes, out past the ring apron, and on to the venerable hardwood floor flat on his back. Rahman was unable to climb back into the ring after a count of twenty and Maskaev was awarded a stunning KO victory at the 40-second mark.

Within seconds of Rahman hitting the deck, unruly fans began firing folding chairs and alternate ref Steve Smoger was nailed by flying metal. A wild melee ensued and it took several minutes before order was finally restored. Security cops and New Jersey's finest battled with *************** Rahman fans, or people who were unhappy with the shocking conclusion to the lively affair.

"I was a little slow but I believed in myself," Maskaev said after the victory. "I said I'm not going to give up. I believed in my power."

--War of Attrition--

Rahman (31-2, 26 KO's) opened in the early rounds and was able to land his jabs against his noticeably slower opponent Maskaev (18-2, 13 KO's). At the 1:05 mark of the 1st, Rahman (234, 1999) stung Maskaev, Staten Island, New York via Moscow, Russia, with a solid left hook to the jaw. Rahman, Baltimore, MD. returned to nailing the ex-Soviet Union amateur star with an assortment of accurate jabs to the face. By the end of the round, Maskaev (236, 1999) returned to his corner with redness under his left eye.

Both fighters had similar styles but Rahman's quickness proved to be the difference as he continued to pepper Maskaev, 6'3", with solid jabs. As the bell sounded to end the 2nd, Rahman, 6'2 ½", clocked Maskaev with a jolting right hand to the chin. Both men opened up in the 3rd, and at the 2:01 mark Maskaev hammered Rahman with a ripping right hand flush on the mouth. Rahman answered with a hard right hand to the head. Maskaev stayed on target and with less than a minute remaining in the 3rd, clipped Rahman with a heavy left hook to the face. With the crowd screaming, both men traded right hands and it was the Russian who gave ground.

Both boxers continued to exchange leather in the 4th, 5th, and 6th with neither man gaining a significant advantage. However, Rahman's left jab continued to connect and keep Maskaev slightly off balance.

In the opening seconds of the seventh round, Rahman jolted the upright Maskaev with hard right hand to the face. Rather than retreat, Maskaev answered with a chopping right hand to the chin. Both warriors continued to fire shots and score. With under a minute remaining in the 7th, Rahman attempted to pick up the pace and landed with two sharp hooks and a straight right hand down the middle. Once more, Maskaev was forced to give up real estate and retreat.

--Good Night--

Both men opened the eighth by trading jabs but Maskaev was able to land when Rahman attempted to unload more heavy artillery. With 2:12 to go in the round, Maskaev nailed his opponent with yet another clubbing left hook flush on the jaw. Moments later, Maskaev rocked Rahman with another hook and then a series of punishing right hands to the head. Rahman's knees buckled as he attempted to fight off the ropes and Maskaev continued to land thunderous shots. Rahman was finally forced to clinch and referee Eddie Cotton separated the athletes. Rahman's legs looked gone as he stumbled across the ring but remained upright. With 1:13 to go in the 8th and Rahman's back against the ropes, Maskaev nailed him with a screaming right hand to the point of the chin. The force of the blow drove Rahman between the third and second strand of the ropes and he exited the ring head first. HBO commentator Jim Lampley attempted to break the big heavyweight's fall but Rahman crashed to the floor and took out the compubox monitor during his rapid descent. Within seconds all hell broke loose while flying folding chairs nailed their victims and small fights broke out amongst the fans.

The ring doctor was at Rahman side almost immediately rendering aid. His first move was to remove Rahman's mouthpiece. Rahman was stretched out flat on his back starring straight up at the ring lights as the medical crew worked over the fallen fighter. Referee Cotton began his count and Rahman was finally able to sit up at around the 15 mark. It was clearly obvious that Rahman was unable to climb back into the ring and Maskaev began celebrating the stunning victory. It would take a number of minutes before the previously top-rated heavyweight was able to somehow climb back into the ring and offer congratulations to Maskaev.

[!! Mr. Soprano]

Rahman's only chance is a puncher's chance and he may not get it. Maskaev has too much experience to let that happen. Rahman got his ass handed to him by an old Holyfield, by no-skills Ruiz and who could forget Maskaev knocking him out of the ring?

Rahman sucks, no doubt...
But Maskayev has no chance in winning this fight. He will be KOed in the 5-7 round.

All this BS talk about the padding is just media talk to get the PPV #'s up.

THIS GARBAGE SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN A PPV EVENT!

[SnoopySmurf]

Rahman sucks, no doubt...
But Maskayev has no chance in winning this fight. He will be KOed in the 5-7 round.

All this BS talk about the padding is just media talk to get the PPV #'s up.

THIS GARBAGE SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN A PPV EVENT!

BWAHAHA! PPV? Are you serious? That's a little better than RJJ's PPV but it's still not worth it.

[RAESAAD]

It really sucks that this is on PPV.......Also Oleg is crazy if he thinks he is going to Knock Rahman through the ropes again....I mean really how likely is that?

[Double]

Rahman will win, the floor padding comment is funny tho', whose got points on Maskaev, I got 5MILL on Rahman.

[King Koyle]

I hope Rahman wins!But im favoring Oleg in this one.Although not by KO,and certaintly not through the ropes again.Oleg will outwork him for a UD.

[Leo Pradun]

It really sucks that this is on PPV.......Also Oleg is crazy if he thinks he is going to Knock Rahman through the ropes again....I mean really how likely is that?

very likely. rahman is a good fighter but hes been inconsistent in his career, Ko'ed Lennox Lewis then looses to bums like John Ruiz. Even if he wins this fight hes not the reall champ and he never will be...

[Leo Pradun]

maskaev is doing a good thing by sayiny these things, rahman always talks and will always talk ****...