Who's Next? Ivan Drago?

On August 12, Hasim Rahman will defend his WBC heavyweight title in a rematch with Oleg Maskaev. In their first meeting, back in 1999, Maskaev not only knocked Rahman out … he knocked him entirely out of the ring! While both men have had many ups and downs in the six-plus years since that fight, Rahman will enter the ring this time as the favorite. Nevertheless, Maskaev will have the proverbial “puncher’s chance” … as well as the knowledge that he’s already beaten Rahman once before. If Maskaev were to win, all four heavyweight belt-holders will originate from the former Soviet Union. IBF champ Wladimir Klitschko was born in Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan. WBA champ Nicolay Valuev was born in St. Petersburg, Russia. WBO champ Sergei Liakhovich is from Vitebsk, Belarus. Maskaev was born in Zhambul, Kazakhstan. The heavyweight division has historically been dominated by fighters born in the United States … not anymore.