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“Why
Maskaev should fight Klitschko in November.”
By Mike Casile (PBR) (8/26/06)
Imagine, if you would an incredible phenomenon. It is something we have
not seen, heard or felt, in quite sometime. Imagine “real” interest in
the Heavyweight division. Boxing, just like life, is all about timing.
Good matches usually become great matches, due to timing and
opportunity. Right now Oleg Maskaev, the newly crowned WBC Heavyweight
Champion, is in a very unique position. His Cinderella story has
generated interest in a division that has been almost forgotten on the
world stage completely. He has caught lightning in a bottle, and
although he is the Champion, holding the cards now, I do not think he
should play “go fish” when it comes to choosing his next opponent.
Shelly Finkel, Vladimir Klitchco’s
manager, is pushing hard for a match this year, but Maskaev’s people
seem hesitant to take the match, for reasons more obvious than not.
Maskaev has earned his discretion, but the cold truth of the heavyweight
division, is that there are not a lot of fights, that people want to
see, and even less fights they will even consider forking out $49.95
for.
If the Klitschko camp, and the
Maskaev camp are as smart as we all think they might be, they will make
this fight happen. This fight will absolutely “not” go the distance, and
their most certainly will be a rematch. The Heavyweight division needs a
shot in the arm right now, and these two punchers can provide that. You
can count me among the millions, which would rather watch The Walton’s
reunion show, than watch Nikolay Valuev, fight Monte Barrett.
The Sam Peter, James Toney fight may have
more teeth, but they are small familiar teeth, that bite about as hard
as an angry puppy. For some strange reason, Toney keeps getting a shot,
I can’t explain it, only to say, his mouth is bigger than his punch, and
maybe his obvious Bi polar personality, will sell a few seats. Oleg
deserves a rest, and congratulations, but he needs to make a stand as
champion. His promoter, Dennis Rappaport, told me, point blank, Oleg
will not fight Klitchko this year. He also hinted to an injury. I like
Dennis very much, but with the PPV numbers that Maskaev’s last fight
received, he may be fighting on public access next year.
Mike Casile
WWW.Philaboxingreport.com
MC@philaboxingreport.com
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