Maskaev will win...

[Nautilus]

Well, I root for Maskaev, and I hope he will win.

I also think that Maskaev is hugely underappreciated by the public.

Maskaev has a very decent boxing record: he beat Vitaliy in the amateurs by TKO2, and also beat a number of good other boxers, including Rahman by a spectacular KO.

Maskaev is a very good boxer, and not just a good puncher. In fact, he never lost a fight on points!

You often hear that the "lucky punch" was the decisive factor in Maskaev's victory over Rahman. I strongly disagree -- Maskaev boxed very well, landing and taking some good punches himself -- the KO was not an unlikely outcome. In fact, I had the fight even at 4:4 at the point of the KO (so did Larry Merchant).

Regarding the 5 losses by KO, I think many of those losses would not even be on Maskaev's record, had he had a proper management team and a decent trainer to begin with. McCall and Tua fights were taken too early in his career (though Maskaev was thoroughly beating Tua up to the point of TKO stoppage -- and the stoppage, without giving any proper count, seemed controversial under such circumstances). Further, taking on Whitakker immediately after the KO loss to Jonhson was a highly unreasonable move, which resulted in another KO loss that should have been avoided.

All in all, I believe that Maskaev can pull this off. Braddock came back to win HW championship after more than 20 losses. What one man can do, another man can.

[:Bobby:]

Well, I root for Maskaev, and I hope he will win.

I also think that Maskaev is hugely underappreciated by the public.

Maskaev has a very decent boxing record: he beat Vitaliy in the amateurs by TKO2, and also beat a number of good other boxers, including Rahman by a spectacular KO.

Maskaev is a very good boxer, and not just a good puncher. In fact, he never lost a fight on points!

You often hear that the "lucky punch" was the decisive factor in Maskaev's victory over Rahman. I strongly disagree -- Maskaev boxed very well, landing and taking some good punches himself -- the KO was not an unlikely outcome. In fact, I had the fight even at 4:4 at the point of the KO (so did Larry Merchant).

Regarding the 5 losses by KO, I think many of those losses would not even be on Maskaev's record, had he had a proper management team and a decent trainer to begin with. McCall and Tua fights were taken too early in his career (though Maskaev was thoroughly beating Tua up to the point of TKO stoppage -- and the stoppage, without giving any proper count, seemed controversial under such circumstances). Further, taking on Whitakker immediately after the KO loss to Jonhson was a highly unreasonable move, and resulted in another KO loss that should have been avoided.

All in all, I believe that Maskaev can pull this off. Braddock came back to win HW championship after more than 20 losses. What one man can do, another man can.

I bet 750 million points that Maskaev will not win. We on?

[Mr. Ryan]

I think people are underestimating Maskaev's chances to win, including Hasim Rahman. In 1999, Maskaev deposited Rahman into Jim Lampleys lap in the Boardwalk Convention Center in AC, NJ. The reason was because Rahman did not properly prepare for Maskaev and was taking the challenge for granted.

Maskaev has been working with Victor Valli Jr., who is a very good trainer. People are expecting Maskaev to come straight in and try to land the right hand, but the reports I'm getting from his camp is that Maskaev has been working on some foot movement and throwing combinations more fluidly.

Rahman may be overlooking Maskaev again, as in subsequent fights Oleg has suffered 3 knockout losses since they first met. If Rahman comes in underprepared again, Maskaev may very well pull off the upset.

[Nautilus]

I bet 750 million points that Maskaev will not win. We on?

I only can bet 47 mil points -- that's all I have.

[Bozo_no no]

Maskaev has a chance, but only because Rahman's a limited fighter who's a bit chinny.

But don't kid yoursef about Maskaev. He sucks.

Watch him in with McCall, T-Rex Sanders and Goofi Whittaker. He's been destroyed by ****ty fighters too many times to be considered under rated.

The guy's in a similar boat to Rahman, only worse with worse losses.

[monkeyboy]

Good luck to you Nautilus. I hope that your man Maskaev does well. As long as there is a good watchable fight with a clear winner I'll be happy. I think Maskaev will have a tough night but I will favor him in what could be a very fifty-fifty fight.
I wouldn't be heartbroken to see the back of Rahman. He has never impressed me.

[monkeyboy]

Maskaev has a chance, but only because Rahman's a limited fighter who's a bit chinny.

But don't kid yoursef about Maskaev. He sucks.

Watch him in with McCall, T-Rex Sanders and Goofi Whittaker. He's been destroyed by ****ty fighters too many times to be considered under rated.

The guy's in a similar boat to Rahman, only worse with worse losses.

Bloody hell Bozo. You and I are in complete agreement. The only difference between our posts was that I was trying to be tactful.

[Mr. Ryan]

Bloody hell Bozo. You and I are in complete agreement. The only difference between our posts was that I was trying to be tactful.

Oh yeah, Bozo don't **** around.

[Nautilus]

Watch him in with McCall, T-Rex Sanders and Goofi Whittaker. He's been destroyed by ****ty fighters too many times to be considered under rated.

We are in a perfect agreement here: Oleg has been destroyed by the ****ty fighters. So has been Lennox, for example.

[The Troll]

On thing about Maskaev's early losses. He was brought up to fast in the pro ranks. They matched him against McCall in I think only his 9th pro fight.