From Klitschko.com
Recently the number of boxers who want to fight Vitali Klitschko has more than quadrupled. And each of those fighters wants to win Vitali’s championship belt, being convinced that they can win by knocking out Vitali.
The ranks of those desiring to face Vitali, was joined by 35-year old Oleg “The Big O” Maskaev (30-5, 24 KO), who just recently won by a way KO in the third round on January 22, at the Grand Casino Coushatta, Louisiana, against a 37-year old Quinn “Cujo” Navarre (30-13-1, 20 KO).
In post-fight press conference, answering questions of journalist about his future opponent, Maskaev declared that the most desired opponent for him would be Vitali Klitschko. That’s where Oleg ended this discussion, letting his promoter and manager, Dennis Rappaport, to talk about such possibilities.
“History will repeat itself. Being amateur Oleg already beat Vitali, knocking him out in the second round,” declared Rappaport, obviously not knowing a history of this fight and consequently convincing journalist it is so.
“Look what happened when De La Hoya fought Mosley and when Shane fought Vernon Forrest. The same thing will happen again if Oleg can fight Vitali, ”said Rappaport.
Again he was slightly mistaken. The matter of fact is that he compared a fight in amateurs to a fight in professionals, since Oscar and Shane never fought in amateurs. In amateurs Shane fought Vernon, and Vernon won that fight. But that’s only facts.
Concerning Vitali’s future fight with Hasim Rahman, Dennis responded, “Klitschko versus Rahman is a complete joke. My guy has beaten both of them. The heavyweight division right now is the worst I have seen. Oleg is by far the most improved heavyweight I have been around.”
Also Dennis promised that he will do everything possible, and even go to extremes to make this fight Maskaev vs. Klitscko a reality. Yet, such statement from Maskaev’s promoter made many journalists smile since Rappaport is not as powerful in boxing as he wants to think. His golden ages are over, and now he’s an ordinary promoter. Such can be proven by the fact that in the last year and a half he wasn't able to organize a fight on HBO or Showtime, being limited to show Oleg's fights only on ESPN2.
However, how can there be any talk about mega fight, if Dennis stated that he’s looking into possibility of carrying out a fight in Ukraine or Russia. In fact, those who understand boxing’s cuisine know that Oleg’s fights in Eastern Europe occur only because local promoters pay him much more than what he would be offered in the US.
Now, once again we would like to remind about the fight, which took place between Vitali Klitschko and Oleg Maskaev in amateurs. Surely, Dennis Rappaport would like to find out the real truth about this fight.
Here, the details of this fight described by former official, Vladimir Zolotaryov, who was present at that fight. “When talking about that fight, it’s necessary to begin with Ukrainian Games, that took place in spring of 1991 in Lutsk. Vitali while carring out three fights, won all of them in clear advantage, and injured his right fist in the last fight. Then he took the third place at the USSR Games, without taking a break for his hand to heal. Following that, he passed qualifications and made it into the championship of USSR Armed Forces. We’ll skip details of those fights, and focus on the final fight in Tashkent. The matter of fact, we didn’t have any desire to go there since Vitali had to prepare for Kickboxing world championship that took place in July in Paris.
We wanted to give Vitali time to heal so that he would be prepared for that championship since going to the world championship was much more prestigious. But the head of sports (USSR) gave order not only to go to Tashkent but also to return with a victory. That’s were the fight between Vitali and Oleg took place. I perfectly remember that fight. It was a semifinal. In Vitali’s corner – Michael Jakovlevich Matsih, and I was one of tournament’s judges. Before the fight, Michael and I warned Vitali that he must protect his right hand or we will remove him from competition.
Vitali carried out the first round strongly, boxing with only left. But at the end of round, Maskaev rushed towards him and Vitali met him with a right. In between rounds we warned Vitali again, and told him that if he strikes again with his right hand we will stop the fight. In second round Maskaev began aggressively and Vitali countered him with another right. That’s when I signaled Michaely Jakovlevichy to immediately throw in the towel. Even to this day I remember how angry was Vitali at me.
What happened after – Vitali became kickboxing world champion in Paris. And whenever I hear Oleg’s words that in the first round he knocked down Vitali thee times, I just start to smile.”
Vitali, before flying away to Germany, responded to Dennis Rappaport’s statements. “ I, both in amateurs and professional boxing career have never been knocked out nor even knocked down. Such statements can only be explained as cheap shots to gain few points for a fighter with a doubtful popularity. Eventually his conscience will catch up with him.”
Thus, I’m confident that it’s possible to finish this story, adding that for Maskaev – Klitschko fight to take place, Oleg needs to earn that right and become a worthy challenger. Yet, to do this he has a very good chance since he’s the number 5 in WBC rating, and after couple successful fights, he just might become the number 1 on WBC ratings, earning him a title fight against Vitali Klitschko. But that’s in his hands or more precisely in his fists