|
This weekend's most high profile fight features two decent heavyweights in Hasim Rahman and Oleg Maskaev. Rahman is most famous for his 2001 upset KO of Lennox Lewis in Johannesburg, South Africa. The champion, Lewis, came in unprepared and was shocked by a big Rahman right hand in the 5th Round. Seven months later, Lewis won the rematch by decisive 4th Round Knockout. Rahman has lingered around the division for the past five years. In two of his most notable fights since, he lost to an over-the-hill Evander Holyfield in a fight that is most remembered for the gruesome welt that appeared over Rahman's left eye, causing the fight to be stopped. And in his other effort for a title belt, he lost an excrutiatingly boring 12 round decision to John Ruiz.
Technically, Rahman does hold the WBC trinket, therefore some will call this fight for the "Heavyweight Championship of the World". While there is some dispute as to whom is the true HW champion, I am fairly certain that Rahman is not that man. I'm not trying to disparage Rahman, who is definitely a Top 10, if not Top 5, contender in the division. However, he basically won the belt by beating Monte Barrett in an elimination bout two years ago. He was the mandatory challenger to fight then Champ Vitali Klitschko, but Klitschko withdrew due to injury and subsequently retired. Rahman then inherited the WBC's belt and defended it in March against James Toney. The fight was declared a draw and Rahman retained his title. In a just world, there'd be an elimination tournament featuring Wladimir Klitschko, Nicolay Valuev, Sergei Liakhovich, Rahman, James Toney, Samuel Peter, Calvin Brock, and Lamon Brewster. But because of rival promoters and sanctioning organizations, we'll probably never see an event like that.
All that being said, this could prove to be a very interesting bout. Rahman has shown the ability to land a big punch, but can also be hurt. He was doing well in their first fight before Maskaev landed one big knockout punch, literally knocking Rahman out of the ring and into the lap of HBO commentator Jim Lampley. Maskaev does have a decent punch, but seems totally incapable of handling a big power punching heavyweight. In his biggest steps up in the division, he's lost by KO to Kirk Johnson and Lance Whitaker. And just when it looked like he'd hit rock bottom, he lost to the 300 + pound journeyman Corey Sanders (not to be confused with the South African Corrie Sanders who once KO'd Wladimir Klitschko).
Rahman would appear to have the advantage in recent competition. Maskaev has done very little to earn this shot. His only wins of note are over fighters named Sinan Sam and David Defiagbon. But somehow he's earned the distinction of being the WBC's #1 rated contender. As pedestrian as Rahman's recent fights have been, at least he's fought some of the fringe Top 20 fighters in the division. I can't find a recent Maskaev win over anybody who I'd categorize as a Top 50 Heavyweight. Nevertheless, Maskaev did fight some decent guys in the late 90's, and he should be able to carry himself against a guy like Rahman.
If you put a gun to my head and made me choose a winner, I'd pick Rahman by KO round 6 or later. I simply don't think Maskaev has what it takes to handle a big HW power-puncher. I could be wrong, and Maskaev might come out and box the fight of his life. I really don't have a strong feeling either way, other than to say I'm pulling for Maskaev to upset Rahman.
In other boxing news...
Brian Viloria was stunned on OLN's new Thursday night fights by the relatively unknown Mexican Omar Nino. This was a big shock to me. Viloria hadn't lost a professional fight in his six years since competing in the 2000 Olympic games. After the first round, it looked like it would be a typical Viloria shutout. I was so unprepared for a fight that I fast-forwarded my Tivo a couple of rounds. I was stunned when I looked at the punch stat numbers and Nino was doubling Viloria's output. I rewound back to the 2nd Round and scored 9 of the final 11 rounds for Nino, giving him a comfortable 117-111 victory on my card. Thankfully, the judges gave Nino credit with similar scores to mine. The commentators kept saying that there was a big fight on the horizon for Viloria to go to Japan and fight a unification fight with the WBA beltholder, Koki Kameda. My guess is that Viloria will get an immediate rematch with Nino. With the proper preparation, I'd give Viloria a better chance to come back and win the rematch.
Verno Phillips looked impressive in beating former fringe Welterweight contender Teddy Reid. Even at his advanced age of 36, Phillips is still a viable threat in the 154 pound division. He recently fought 10 very competitive rounds against Ike Quartey, who should have been given the decision last Saturday night at the MSG Arena against Vernon Forrest. Phillips controlled Reid for the 11 1/2 rounds before getting a stoppage victory with just 20 seconds remaining in the 12th.
Finally, the undercard fights on the PPV card seem fairly non-descript. Humberto Soto is fighting some guy named Ivan Valle. Soto is best known for decisioning Rocky Juarez last year. One of the sanctioning bodies has branded this a title eliminator. I've heard some boxing people say that Valle is a good fighter and will make for an entertaining fight. Personally, this is one of the weakest PPV co-featued bouts I've seen in quite some time.
The other undercard bout features Armando Santa Cruz, who dismantled an overmatched opponent in one round on last month's Mosley/Vargas undercard.
|