Russian former world heavyweight boxing champion plans comeback… aged 48
Russian former WBC world heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev is planning to return to the ring this year at the age of 48.
Maskaev last fought in 2013 and was riding a three-fight win streak when he hung up his gloves after outpointing British Mike Tyson-conqueror Danny Williams over 10 rounds in Krasnodar, southern Russia.
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Following that fight, Maskaev took an enforced break from the ring through injury.
“I don’t plan to retire yet. I keep in shape and spar in the gym. If we come to an agreement with a promoter, I will fight in spring,” Maskaev said, TASS reported.
From 2006 to 2008 Maskaev held the WBC world heavyweight title, winning the belt with a 12th-round stoppage of American former champion Hasim Rahman.
Maskaev was awarded the Ring magazine ‘Comeback of the Year’ award that year.
In the first meeting between the two in 1999, Maskaev brutally put an end to the fight by knocking Rahman through the ropes with a hammer right hand, sending him crashing onto the desks of ringside reporters.
Maskaev lost the title in a sixth-round technical knockout loss to Nigerian Samuel Peter. The belt is now held by big-punching American star Deontay 'Bronze Bomber' Wilder.
Nicknamed 'The Big O', Maskaev also holds a win over former long-reigning heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko from when the two met as amateurs.
He currently has a professional record of 39 wins and seven losses, with 28 big wins coming by way of knockout.
