Maskaev to Defend Title vs. Peter ... Finally
If Maskaev, who has been sidelined with back injuries for much of his title reign, is truly healthy then he can't be counted out of this fight. If nothing else, this fight promises to produce more fireworks than the recent Wladimir Klitschko-Sultan Ibragimov snoozer. Maskaev stopped Hasim Rahman twice but has also been stopped in all five of his career losses. Peter has the reputation as the bigger puncher but has been relatively unimpressive in his last three fights, which all went the distance. In his most recent fight, Peter was knocked down three times by McCline before recovering to score a somewhat questionable decision win.
Prediction: While this fight likely won't go the distance, it may very well be decided by who's in better shape to remain busy for as long as it lasts. Maskaev's conditioning and timing following his long layoff is a complete unknown. Peter, despite early comparisons to Mike Tyson and Ike Ibeabuchi appears to be following more of a David Tua career path (and we don't mean that in a good way). Politics may prevent Maskaev from getting a decision so he'd be well advised to look for a knockout. Peter has promised a fourth round KO but is more likely to outlast his older opponent and score a late TKO. Peter by TKO 10.
The undercard includes an IBF lightweight title fight between Juan Diaz vs. Nate Campbell, Jose Luis Castillo vs. Timothy Bradley and John Ruiz vs. Jameel McCline.
Comments
Maskev in 3 you heard it here first!!
The only way the “Big O” loses this fight is if his chronic back injury effects his movement and power. Peter has a super punch but he is slow of foot,hand and mind. Look for Oleg by KO sometime after round three.
Peter isn’t that good. If Maskaev loses, it’s because of the long layoff. Peter has beaten old farts his last 3 fights and will try to make it 4. But Maskaev in 8 rounds
Peter is a straight ahead and plodding; his “power” shows against lesser opponents who are equally slow and plodding. The last fights I have watched with Peter were less than thrillers and he is vulnerable to getting popped. I remember the hype around Edison Miranda and all his puffery and then he ran into Kelly Pavlik. Oleg, if in good health and good back, can surprise everyone. He is tough, smart and resilient. And if he wants to win, he can.
I WISH JUAN DIAZ CHANGE HIS PROMOTER DON KING, HE IS A GRAT FIGHTER DON KING IS A LOSER
Sorry this is the first prediction I’ve missed in years….Peter showed Maskaev’s age bigtime. He got old right in front of us. Wow…