Oleg Maskayev

Oleg Alexandrovich Maskayev (o-LEG mas-KA-yev, Russian: Олег Александрович Маскаев; also Maskaev; born 2 March 1969) is a Russian-American former professional boxer who competed from 1995 to 2013, and held the WBC heavyweight title from 2006 to 2008. He is one a few professional boxers to resume his amateur career after a professional debut in 1993.

Oleg Maskayev
Олег Маскаев
Statistics
Real nameOleg Alexandrovich Maskayev
Nickname(s)The Big O
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Reach201 cm (79 in)
Nationality
  • Russian (since 2006)
  • American (since 2004)
  • Uzbek (1991−2004)
  • Soviet (until 1991)
Born (1969-03-02) 2 March 1969
Abay, Kazakh SSR,
Soviet Union
(now Kazakhstan)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights46
Wins39
Wins by KO28
Losses7
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  Uzbekistan
World Cup
1994 Bangkok Super heavyweight
Asian Games
1994 Hiroshima Super heavyweight

Amateur career

Maskayev, a former mine worker, began his boxing career in the 1980s as an amateur in his hometown Abay. In 1991 he stopped future WBC world champion Vitali Klitschko in the second round.

Maskayev was the champion of the Soviet Army and later the national cup winner. First he represented Soviet Union and subsequently Uzbekistan. Representing Uzbekistan he won a gold medal at the 1994 Asian Games.

Highlights

X Summer Spartakiad of Peoples of the USSR, boxing (+91 kg), Minsk, Belarus SSR, July 1991:

VIII Military Spartakiad of the Friendly Armies of the Socialist Countries (+91 kg), Kiskunfelegyhaza, Hungary, October 1990:

  • Finals: Defeated János Sulyok (Hungary) walkover

USA−USSR Middle & Heavy Duals (+91 kg), Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, December 1991:

World Championships (+91 kg), Tampere, Finland May 1993:

  • 1/16: Defeated Zourab Sarsania (Georgia) DQ 3
  • 1/8: Defeated Oleksandr Litvin (Ukraine) RSC 2
  • 1/4: Lost to Roberto Balado (Cuba) KO 3

World Cup (+91 kg), Bangkok, Thailand, June 1994:

  • 1/8: Defeated Raj Kumar Sangwan (India) 11–3 (4 rds)
  • 1/4: Defeated Arshak Avartakyan (Armenia) 12–6 (4 rds)
  • 1/2: Defeated Willi Fischer (Germany) RSC 1
  • Finals: Lost to Roberto Balado (Cuba) walkover

Asian Games (+91 kg), Hiroshima, Japan, October 1994:

Maskayev resumed the amateur career within a month after his reported professional debut in April 1993, to participate in the 1993 World Championships, '94 World Cup, and '94 Asian Games, with the last ones ended with a gold medal for him.

Maskayev finished his amateur career having 118 fights under his belt, with a stated record of 108–10. Controversy later arose as to his record, before he fought Oliver McCall, USBA stated his professional record 15–0 (12 KOs,) which was confirmed ex officio by the Virginia Boxing Commission (which sanctioned the Maskayev–McCall event and all subsequent official information related to it, including the records,) while later and supposedly more precise estimates gave 6–0 (3 KOs.) Nine missing bouts in given record were either unaccounted for (and therefore non-sanctioned events,) or considered as amateur, or exhibition fights. No data available presently for that missing part of Maskayev's early professional career.

Professional career

Maskayev's professional boxing career began in 1993. Not wasting any time, he made his professional debut against 23–0 former silver medalist Alexander Miroshnichenko. Maskaev won via third-round TKO. In only his seventh professional bout, Maskayev was faced off against Oliver McCall, who had captured a world heavyweight title by knocking out Lennox Lewis just a year before. Maskayev was caught with a hard left hand to the body, followed up with a short right hand in the first round, losing via TKO and being handed his first professional defeated. After winning his next four, Maskayev fought hard-hitting Samoan David Tua. Maskayev lost via 11th-round TKO.

Oleg is known for his powerful right-hand punch: he has knocked out former WBO heavyweight challenger Derrick Jefferson, contender Alex Stewart, and twice knocked out former WBC heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman. However, he is also noted for a weak chin that was evident in his knockout losses to contenders Oliver McCall, David Tua, Kirk Johnson, Lance Whitaker, Corey Sanders and journeyman Nagy Aguilera.

His most famous victories have been his two wins over Hasim Rahman. Maskayev knocked Rahman off balance, sending his rival out of the ring in the 8th round on November 6, 1999. This fight is also notable for the famous "chair incident", in which noted referee, Steve Smoger, who was backup referee for this fight, was struck in the head by a chair thrown by a fan who was later arrested.

He later fought Rahman again and defeated him for the WBC heavyweight title by knocking him out in the 12th round on August 12, 2006. His second win over Rahman was preceded by a streak of victories that helped rejuvenate Maskayev's career and earned him the "Comeback fighter of the Year" award in The Ring magazine in 2006.

Maskayev won his first title defense against Peter Okhello on December 10, 2006 by unanimous decision.

Maskayev fought against Samuel Peter for the WBC Heavyweight title on March 8, 2008 and was doing well in the early rounds, despite Peter's repeated rabbit punching and the referee's warnings. In the 5th round Maskayev landed some of his best shots on his opponents chin, but to no avail: Peter was seemingly unaffected, visibly shaking Oleg. He lost 5 of the 6 rounds, with Peter winning by TKO with 3 seconds remaining in the sixth round.

In late 2008 he beat opponent Robert Hawkins by UD after 10 rounds and then defeated but unheralded Rich Boruff on March 14, 2009 via first-round KO, giving him mandatory contender status to the WBC Heavyweight Championship. He fought Nagy Aguilera on December 11 in Sacramento, California at the Memorial Auditorium in a tune up fight, but was knocked out in the first round. Getting stunned with an overhand right-left hook combo and knocked down soon after, another barrage by Aquilera hit Maskayev hard knocking him out. Maskayev did not land a punch in the fight, and has since stated that he may retire following the loss, however he returned to the ring 3 years after the loss, to knock out Owen Beck. In 2013, he decisioned Jason Gavern in a 10-round fight.

Nationality

Maskayev was born in Taraz to Mordvin parents. He has lived in the U.S. since 1999 with his wife, Svetlana, and four daughters. He acquired US citizenship in 2004. He currently resides in West Sacramento, California, after previously living in Staten Island, New York. Before his second encounter with Hasim Rahman in 2006, he said "I would say I'm a proud Russian-American. So right now, I'm a citizen of America, of [the] United States... Whoever is going to win is going to be American."[1] In the run-up to his title defense against Peter Okhello, he stated regarding his citizenship: "Russian. I don't want to talk about that anymore. I will walk to the ring under the Russian flag and Russian anthem as I'm now a Russian citizen."[2] Russian president Vladimir Putin granted him Russian citizenship on December 9, 2006.[3]

Professional boxing record
Professional record summary
46 fights 39 wins 7 losses
By knockout 28 7
By decision 11 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
46 Win 39–7 Danny Williams UD 10 4 Nov 2013 Basket-Hall, Krasnodar, Russia
45 Win 38–7 Jason Gavern UD 10 26 May 2013 Sports Complex Mordovia, Saransk, Russia
44 Win 37–7 Owen Beck TKO 3 (10), 2:59 30 Dec 2012 Sports Palace Quant, Moscow, Russia
43 Loss 36–7 Nagy Aguilera TKO 1 (10), 1:54 11 Dec 2009 Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, US
42 Win 36–6 Rich Boruff TKO 1 (10), 1:35 14 Mar 2009 Ice Palace, Saransk, Russia
41 Win 35–6 Robert Hawkins UD 10 6 Sep 2008 Red Square, Moscow, Russia
40 Loss 34–6 Samuel Peter TKO 6 (12), 2:56 8 Mar 2008 Plaza de Toros, Cancún, Mexico Lost WBC heavyweight title
39 Win 34–5 Okello Peter UD 12 10 Dec 2006 Olympic Stadium, Moscow, Russia Retained WBC heavyweight title
38 Win 33–5 Hasim Rahman TKO 12 (12), 2:17 12 Aug 2006 Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, US Won WBC heavyweight title
37 Win 32–5 Sinan Şamil Sam UD 12 12 Nov 2005 Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany Won WBC International heavyweight title
36 Win 31–5 Livin Castillo TKO 3 (10), 1:30 24 Jun 2005 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
35 Win 30–5 Quinn Navarre KO 3 (10), 2:47 22 Jan 2005 Coushatta Casino Resort, Kinder, Louisiana, US
34 Win 29–5 David Defiagbon SD 10 23 Jul 2004 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
33 Win 28–5 Craig Tomlinson TKO 2 (10), 1:18 16 Apr 2004 Tropicana Casino & Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
32 Win 27–5 Julius Francis TKO 2 (10) 27 Nov 2003 Olimpiysky Sport Palace, Chekhov, Russia
31 Win 26–5 Dennis McKinney TKO 1 (10) 25 Sep 2003 Townhouse, Huntington, New York, US
30 Win 25–5 Sedreck Fields TKO 9 (10) 6 Sep 2003 Palace of Sports, Kiev, Ukraine
29 Win 24–5 Gary Winmon TKO 1 (8) 28 Jun 2003 DC Armory, Washington, DC, US
28 Win 23–5 Errol Sadikovski TKO 1 (10) 15 Feb 2003 Multi-Purpose Center, Lewiston, Maine, US
27 Loss 22–5 Corey Sanders TKO 8 (10), 2:45 17 Mar 2002 Gold Country Casino, Oroville, California, US
26 Win 22–4 David Vedder TKO 6 (10), 1:45 30 Nov 2001 Hilton, Reno, Nevada, US
25 Win 21–4 Brian Nix TKO 6 (10), 0:53 25 Aug 2001 Flamingo, Laughlin, Nevada, US
24 Loss 20–4 Lance Whitaker KO 2 (12), 1:03 10 Mar 2001 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, US For WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title
23 Loss 20–3 Kirk Johnson KO 4 (12), 0:51 7 Oct 2000 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, US Lost PABA heavyweight title
22 Win 20–2 Derrick Jefferson TKO 4 (10), 2:10 20 May 2000 Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
21 Win 19–2 Sedreck Fields RTD 7 (10), 3:00 2 Mar 2000 Ramada Inn, Rosemont, Illinois, US
20 Win 18–2 Hasim Rahman KO 8 (10), 0:40 6 Nov 1999 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
19 Win 17-2 Shane Sutcliffe TKO 2 (12), 2:56 20 May 1999 Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, US Retained PABA heavyweight title
18 Win 16–2 Jeff Wooden TKO 3 (12), 0:41 4 Feb 1999 Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel, Worley, Idaho, US Retained PABA heavyweight title
17 Win 15–2 Marion Wilson UD 8 8 Dec 1998 Roseland Ballroom, New York City, New York, US
16 Win 14–2 Toakipa Tasefa KO 1 (12), 1:15 2 Oct 1998 Sudduth Coliseum, Lake Charles, Louisiana, US Won vacant PABA heavyweight title
15 Win 13–2 Courage Tshabalala KO 9 (10), 2:55 9 Jun 1998 State Circus, Moscow, Russia
14 Win 12–2 Booker T Word TKO 4 (10), 2:47 9 Jan 1998 The Claridge, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
13 Win 11–2 Alex Stewart TKO 7 (10) 27 Sep 1997 State Circus, Moscow, Russia
12 Loss 10–2 David Tua TKO 11 (12), 1:16 5 Apr 1997 Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US For WBC International heavyweight title
11 Win 10–1 Rodney Blount KO 2 (6), 1:55 7 Feb 1997 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, US
10 Win 9–1 Ralph West TKO 3 (10), 1:03 12 Sep 1996 Hilton, Huntington, New York, US
9 Win 8–1 Fernely Feliz UD 8 20 Aug 1996 Paramount Theater, New York City, New York, US
8 Win 7–1 Mike Robinson TKO 7 (8), 1:35 9 Jun 1996 Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, US
7 Loss 6–1 Oliver McCall TKO 1 (10), 1:38 24 Feb 1996 Coliseum, Richmond, Virginia, US
6 Win 6–0 Nikolay Kulpin UD 12 29 Sep 1995 York Hall, London, England Won PABA heavyweight title
5 Win 5–0 Joe Thomas PTS 6 25 Aug 1995 Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
4 Win 4–0 Robert Hawkins KO 4 (6), 1:05 30 Jun 1995 Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
3 Win 3–0 Mike Whitfield UD 8 11 Apr 1995 Martin's West, Woodlawn, Maryland, US
2 Win 2–0 Jimmy Harrison TKO 4 (6) 4 Mar 1995 The Roxy, Boston, Massachusetts, US
Was reinstated as an amateur boxer by AIBA, and resumed his amateur career
1 Win 1–0 Alexander Miroshnichenko TKO 3 (6) 17 Apr 1993 Taraz, Kazakhstan
gollark: Discriminator!
gollark: Banning people is discrimination.
gollark: You may be calling the wrong side's peripheral.
gollark: @Satan_is_my_cat full kode?
gollark: ..

References
  1. "'Last Line of Defense' theme miffs Maskayev". 11 August 2006.
  2. fightnews.com Archived 2006-12-08 at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Президент России предоставил гражданство Олегу Маскаеву".
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
New title PABA heavyweight champion
29 September 1995 – July 1996
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Joe Bugner
Vacant
Title last held by
Joe Bugner		 PABA heavyweight champion
2 October 1998 – 7 October 2000
Vacated		 Succeeded by
Kirk Johnson
Preceded by
Sinan Şamil Sam		 WBC International
heavyweight champion
12 November 2005 – April 2006
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Sinan Şamil Sam
World boxing titles
Preceded by
Hasim Rahman		 WBC heavyweight champion
12 August 2006 – 8 March 2008		 Succeeded by
Samuel Peter
Awards
Previous:
Ike Quartey		 The Ring Comeback of the Year
2006		 Next:
Paulie Malignaggi
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