Team Maskaev Speaks Out!

By Ron Widelec

25.04 - Why hasn't Tyson and his team signed down and confirmed Oleg Maskaev as his opponent for the Lewis-Johnson Undercard? "He is scared", according to Dennis Rappaport (Maskaev's new promoter) and Fred Kesch (Maskaev's new Manager).

Let me present a quick background on the situation. Several days ago Tyson's management team announced that they were down to two or three possible opponents for Tyson's next bout. The big two names were Ray Mercer and Oleg Maskaev, and it seemed like they leaning towards Maskaev. Soon after I wrote an article titled Tyson v. Maskaev: Don't act so surprised! In this article I basically explained how I think that Maskaev is tailor-made for Tyson, and expressed my opinion that Tyson should have taken on a better foe.

In response to that article, and to the ravings of Ray Mercer claiming that he should be the opponent, Maskaev's management team contacted me in order to give their side of the story, and make their case. Through emails, instant messages, and several phone calls, I pieced together this article, which I have broken down by topic.

First I was contacted by Fred Kesch, and later on I was put through to Dennis Rappaport. Kesch recently became Maskaev's manager, following his loss to Corey Sanders. This is what Kesch had to say about the "new and improved" Maskaev.


On Maskaev's former management:

Both Kesch and Rappaport referred to Maskaev as the "most poorly managed fighter in history". They bring up the following data in support. His pro-debut was against a fighter with a record of 21-0. In his seventh fight he was put in with former champion Oliver McCall. He was also put in with David Tua before his fifteenth fight. More recently, when he was KOed by Kirk Johnson, he was immediately put in with Mount Whitaker, without any tune up fights. Certainly there are some questionable decisions here.

On the "New and Improved" Maskaev:

Kesch has developed an excellent team to prepare Maskaev. Kesch had this to say about the new team. "I am his manager, his promoter is Dennis Rappaport, his new trainer is Victor Valle Jr., son of the legendary Victor Valle, he also has a strength conditioner, a sports psychologist, and the best caring team assembled."

Both Kesch and Rappaport invited me down to Gleeson's Gym in NYC to observe the changes in their fighter. They said that Maskaev is "no longer the standard European style fighter anymore, that stands in front of you and either knocks you out, or get knocks out". Valle Jr. has been working on Maskaev's left hook, and his ring movement. In the words of Dennis Rappaport "He moves like a middleweight now". He said everything we have seen from Oleg in the past is gone, and we should expect an all new fighter.


On the Tyson fight:

According to Kesch and Rappaport, the deal is not yet done. They are still waiting for the call from Tyson's team to confirm the fight. They suspect they know what is holding up the deal. "Tyson is scared," they both said. "Maybe he would rather face Peter McNeeley" was Kesch's response. They feel that Tyson is worried about biting off more than he can chew.

But they have everything on hold, as they wait for the call. Obviously, the money and publicity that a Tyson fight can generate takes precedence over any other options that they would get elsewhere.


On Maskaev's Chin:

Ron Widelec: All five of Oleg's losses have been by KO or TKO. What is going to happen when Tyson hits Maskaev clean?

Kecsh: The question is what is going to happen when Oleg hits Tyson.

Ron Widelec: Ok, what is going to happen when Oleg hits Tyson?

Kesch: He is going to get stunned or knocked out.

Maskaev has always been known for his excellent punching power. Kesch certainly sounded confident about Maskaev's ability to KO Tyson. On the matter of his Chin, Kesch feels that Maskaev's chin is fine; his knockouts were for other reasons. Obviously the early ones to McCall and Tua, because he was rushed into fights like that too early in his career. And of the recent three, to Johnson, Whitaker, Sanders, he said "Maskaev had been put into to many tough battles too often".

On Where Maskaev Ranks if he beats Tyson:

Ron Widelec: If Maskaev beats Tyson, where does that place him in the division.

Kesch: The whole world will be at his feet.

Team Maskaev sees the Tyson fight as a quick way for Oleg to reestablish himself in the division. "A few years ago he was the #2 fighter in the division" Kesch said. Kesch says "anything can happen in the heavyweight division" and hopes a win over Tyson will get Maskaev back into the heavyweight title mix.

On Ray Mercer:

Kesch and Rappaport didn't take too kindly to some of the things Mercer has said recently about Maskaev as an opponent for Tyson. Mercer wants to be the next opponent, and has been quite vocal about this.

Kesch had the following to say about Mercer. "He is a cry baby. In his last fight he was destroyed [Wladamir] Klitschko. He was supposed to fight [Robert] Wiggins, but he pulled out at the last minute". Rappaport showed a great deal of respect for Mercer, but certainly feels that he is no longer in fighting condition for a fight of this level.

On what happens if Maskaev loses:

When asked about this Kesch quickly stated that they are "not going there to lose, or for a pay check. However, if Maskaev were to lose "it would depend on how he looked, and how he lost". Kesch danced around the topic of retirement when questioned about it.

That is pretty much what the discussion covered. As for my opinion, unless I see something different from Maskaev, I am going to stand by my comments in the original article mentioned above. As for Maskaev’s chances in this fight, if he has truly developed good ring mobility he can probably give Tyson some trouble; almost certainly more than Mercer at this point, who will be little more than a solid chinned punching bag, and definitely more than Etienne did. However, I still cannot get the image of the Maskaev v. Sanders fight out of my mind though, and we have all seen Tyson punch. If Maskaev is "new and improved" he may give Tyson a rough night. At his best, Maskaev was a very serious contender.

If this fight gets signed, or I get a chance to see Maskaev in the gym, I will post a follow-up article to this one, so STAY TUNED.

Questions or comments. Email me at Beowolf88@aol.com