Maske crawls out of the lethargy

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 28 Mar 2007, 09:21

In a battle of 43-year-olds, German icon Henry Maske launches a bizarre attempt to avenge his only defeat when he takes on 'WBA' cruiserweight champion Virgil Hill on Saturday at the Olympic Hall in Munich (non-title, 12 rounds). In November 1996 at the same venue, Maske lost to Hill on a split decision. He lost his unbeaten record. He lost his IBF light-heavyweight title. He announced before the fight he would retire, win or lose, and retire he did. Obviously, he intended to bow out as world champion, with a perfect record. It preyed on his mind 10 years. Things came to a head when Hill fought flat out to outscore unbeaten Russian Valery Brudov for the vacant 'WBA' title in Atlantic City last year.
Shortly afterwards, Henry announced this one-fight comeback.
The announcement sparked disbelief in Germany. "Either he's bored or he needs money," said Dariusz Michalczewski, whose own comeback cost him a pasting at the hands of Fabrice Tiozzo in 2005. "Madness!" barked Regina Halmich - "he shouldn't forget that he has a very big reputation to lose." Promoter Wilfried Sauerland added: "He's had a great career. He doesn't need the money. He has businesses with a few hundred employees. He has a fine family...
"I just can't imagine what he needs to prove."
"It's pretty amazing," chipped in Hill, accepting the challenge - "Henry thinks he was robbed in his own country!"
The American, the oldest current 'world' champion, declined to reveal his purse, except to say: "It was great, everything I wanted and more - seven figures."
So the fight is on and southpaw Maske indeed wants his revenge. At his best, Henry relied on skill and stamina to beat his opponents. Expect no different on Saturday. Maske has now reunited with former trainer Manfred Wolke, after originally linking up with Teddy Atlas (Teddy is in Newcastle this weekend commentating on The Contender Challenge), and came through a 'private' fight earlier this year in Frankfurt against American Berry Butler (no spectators, but world class officials and a cutman were flown in - there was even a ring announcer).
He will look to outbox Hill, to sneak the fight on points.
But 10 years! Maske only has to look at Axel Schulz, hammered in six rounds in November by Brian Minto, to know what the worst case scenario could be. The 38-year-old Schulz had been out seven years.
Twenty years ago, almost to the day, Sugar Ray Leonard came out of retirement to pip Marvin Hagler on a memorable night in Las Vegas. But, even in Germany, it's hard to imagine Maske doing something similar.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 28 Mar 2007, 09:35

Maske couldn't cope with Hill's movement last time. This time he won't get anywhere near him. Hill showed he could still move - in spades - in the Brudov fight. That was non-stop circling even at his advanced age. Hill's always had terrific fitness despite an amateurish style. Check his 2nd fight with Mormeck. Hill matched him almost punch for punch, though got nailed with the harder blows.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 28 Mar 2007, 09:47

Is the WBA actually sanctioning this as a title fight? If so that might top their 'super champ' rule in terms of outright disgracefulness (is that a word?).

Its even on PPV in the states. Who the f#ck would pay money for this crappy fight of boring dinosaurs????

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 28 Mar 2007, 10:22

No its not being sanctioned, although I think the reason its not being sanctioned is not because of Maske not boxing for 10 years - but because Hill has to face his mandatory next. So I think the WBA decided not to strip Hill, but make the Maske fight a non title fight cause the next defence Hill has to make is his manadatory.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 28 Mar 2007, 11:13

Although Hill isn't as fresh and mobile as the American Minto was i can see shades of Schulz-Minto cropping up here. This matchup is pretty dire to be fair and pointless, i hold little interest. Apparently Richie Davies has got the refereeing job though so expect some mid round sermons from the master of distressed lectures.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 28 Mar 2007, 13:39

Oh man!!!

I remember watching Maskes Professional debut on the BBC in was on the undercard of K. Laing vs Antoine Fernandez for the European Welterweight Title. I still have both fights on tape.

I have a bad feeling about this rematch though, it's not as if Maske has a huge KO punch to get him out of trouble.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 29 Mar 2007, 05:35

Im sure Maske will lose and im sure what happens will be life shortening for him, in the long run.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 31 Mar 2007, 16:28

I hope Maske does alright tonight. I'd love to watch this fight, for the occasion as much as anything.

Box Office · Post by **Box Office** » 31 Mar 2007, 18:59

HE WON!!!!

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 01 Apr 2007, 06:03

Well we got this one wrong guys. I havn't seen the fight but it sounds like Maske put on a very good performance.

Loynesy · Post by **Loynesy** » 01 Apr 2007, 09:29

In Berlin to run a half marathon so caught the last 6 rounds last night. From that Maske won handily, a slow fight but Maske threw more and more accurate leather. Hill very slow. Maske could possible still compete at a higher level, he was in a comfort zone last night. He is bloody fight for a man of his age.

Haven't been in Germany for a while during a fight weekend (used to live here so seen many shows on TV and in person) but reminded how much more high profile it is over here than back home. Lots of press coverage, free to air TV, full house, great purses. Its a much bigger sport here than the UK.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 01 Apr 2007, 16:40

Makes you wonder why Maske jacked it in in the first place now. Although he probably wouldn't have been so fresh without the lay off had he carried on. But what a lay off he was, great win. Maybe it's Hill we should be calling for to retire now!

Axe · Post by **Axe** » 01 Apr 2007, 17:45

Hill didn't seem like half the fighter that beat Brudov. Something about this fight just doesn't sit well with me.

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 01 Apr 2007, 18:49

Hill has been hot and cold in recent years... nothing too suspect IMO.

Going back to Loynesy point about how big boxing is over there..... thank a couple of Brit promoters and Sky for making short term cash and forgetting the long term interests of the sport....

Axe · Post by **Axe** » 01 Apr 2007, 22:09

knockout wrote:Hill has been hot and cold in recent years... nothing too suspect IMO.

How so? I don't see the cold in KOing Tiozzo, dominating Brudov, and giving Mormeck the pre-Bell fight of his life...wear and tear is a big factor for sure, but did Hill really slip that much?

shoutout · Post by **shoutout** » 02 Apr 2007, 00:51

Axe wrote:
knockout wrote:Hill has been hot and cold in recent years... nothing too suspect IMO.
How so? I don't see the cold in KOing Tiozzo, dominating Brudov, and giving Mormeck the pre-Bell fight of his life...wear and tear is a big factor for sure, but did Hill really slip that much?

i remember watching azumah nelson grow old in one nite!! and he was only in late 30s...about 5 years younger than virgil now!! :(

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 02 Apr 2007, 05:17

Gotta hand it to the Germans, they know how to prepare themselves 100%...!

Bizzare result on the face of it, but let's be realistic, Virgil is positively ancient himself, he turned pro in 1984!

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 02 Apr 2007, 05:42

shoutout2u wrote:
Axe wrote:
knockout wrote:Hill has been hot and cold in recent years... nothing too suspect IMO.
How so? I don't see the cold in KOing Tiozzo, dominating Brudov, and giving Mormeck the pre-Bell fight of his life...wear and tear is a big factor for sure, but did Hill really slip that much?
i remember watching azumah nelson grow old in one nite!! and he was only in late 30s...about 5 years younger than virgil now!! :(

I dunno, Azumah started looking old after his war with Jimmy Mac in London. That & the move to lightweight had him looking a faded force. But you know, Azumah would have bad showings and then surge back.

Hill is a fit bloke. We saw all the movement he showed vs Brudov. But Maske's a different fighter. He has the height and the reach advantages and maybe Hill just had zero method, maybe he just went in thinking his superior legs would do it, with no real strategy?

I mean, Hill always had great fitness, a superb left jab/hook & a lot of fast movement...But he never had good basics.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 02 Apr 2007, 09:07

And how obvious does a Dariusz M versus Maske fight seem now?

Rochiaggna?

I can see a senior tour, they dont crave fast first action in Germany either do they.

Raff The Frenchman · Post by **Raff The Frenchman** » 02 Apr 2007, 09:37

or maybe Hill just couldn't deal with the tools Maske used tonight.
however quick, powerful and active he was, Maske just found the right strategy and tools to beat Hill...a good jab, a good straight right hand, a longer reach, and better conditioning.
Hil might have also taken this fight too lightly and thought he would not have to prepare as strong as against Mormeck or Brudov.

Loynesy · Post by **Loynesy** » 02 Apr 2007, 12:58

Maske should be a certain for the HoF. Olympic Gold Medallist, good world champion, only one loss which was avenged. We need to get less parochial about this "never left Germany" rubbish, actually, our fighters should be going there - its a bigger market.

Freiheit · Post by **Freiheit** » 03 Apr 2007, 20:56

Maske vs Hill 2 had 16 mill viewers in Germany on RTL, its was a 63,1% share.

dookus · Post by **dookus** » 04 Apr 2007, 04:11

Loynesy wrote:Maske should be a certain for the HoF. Olympic Gold Medallist, good world champion, only one loss which was avenged. We need to get less parochial about this "never left Germany" rubbish, actually, our fighters should be going there - its a bigger market.

Damn right. Calzaghe's biggest payday was a mandatory in Germany, and he's one of our marquee fighters.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 04 Apr 2007, 05:38

Loynesy wrote:Maske should be a certain for the HoF. Olympic Gold Medallist, good world champion, only one loss which was avenged. We need to get less parochial about this "never left Germany" rubbish, actually, our fighters should be going there - its a bigger market.

He had a real quality title reign. I consider Rocchigiani an elite fighter, and Maske holds 2 wins over him. Add to that a total domination of Prince Charles Williams and wins over good fighters Egerton Marcus, Anthony Hembrick, Iran Barkley, he's had a higher level of comp than any light heavyweight champ since the 80s. 11 defenses and very few "gimmes." Only mark against him was Hill, as Maske choked in that 1st fight & did little...In many ways he has corrected that with a pretty extraordinary comeback, over a legit top 10 cruiser (IMO). I would vote Maske in the Hall. He did a lot for German boxing, which wouldn't be where it is today without him.

hype7 · Post by **hype7** » 05 Apr 2007, 06:19

Hill simply threw the fight. Nothing changes in boxing.

Maske looked completely out of sorts each time hill opened up; watch the tape. He would get bludgeonned by any top 200 cruiser.

Any wonder Hill wants a rematch?