The fact that the fight for the title of world boxing champion among professionals will nevertheless take place in Moscow, many agreed to believe only when they saw Maskaev and Ohello in the Olimpiysky ring. The memories of three years ago were too fresh when Kostya Tszyu's planned duel with the American Sharmba Mitchell was canceled at the last moment due to a Russian injury, despite 80 percent of the tickets purchased.
And this time, without a fog of doubt a few days before the event was not done. Maskaev unexpectedly ignored the open training traditional before such fights, although a few minutes before the announcement by boxer manager Vladimir Khryunov, the workers of the Arbat cultural and entertainment center, scurrying around, agreed on the details of the champion’s meeting. The inevitable suspicion that arose in such a situation: a relapse of the injury, which has accumulated a lot during the long career of Maskaev, including after the heavy August battle with Hasim Rakhman. Indirect confirmations of this version appeared on the same day at various boxing online forums.
But there was another reasonable argument - the natural desire of Oleg and his team not to lose concentration on the eve of the fight. In the careers of famous boxers, there have been cases of losing to average rivals in the home walls. You can recall the Kiev defeat of Vladimir Klitschko from Ross Puritty in 1998 or Lennox Lewis from Oliver McCall in London in 1994. And the reason for the failure of both boxers called one: excessive enthusiasm for presentations and press conferences on the eve of the fight. Maskaev, however, a few days before the fight, access was closed not only to the fans, but also to the press, whose idea would have been at hand, or rather, to the organizers’ pocket.
The development of events, fortunately, confirmed the second version. And Maskaev and Ohello did enter the Olimpiysky ring.
But before, another Russian boxer was there - heavyweight Alexander Povetkin, beginning to climb the heights of professional boxing. It took him only three rounds to knock out American Imam Mayfield and win a tenth career victory. Although the progress of the Olympic champion of Athens in attacking actions is obvious, his ability to effectively defend himself is still in doubt.
... The output of the main participants of the evening was arranged in the best traditions of boxing shows. Ohello crossed the path from the locker room to the ring to African rhythms, to the beat of which he amusedly danced. At the request of Maskaev, an entirely original performance was arranged: the live performance of the soloist of the opera house performed on the big screen a cut of the most striking episodes of the champion’s previous victories for the song “From the island to the rod”, and the fragment “And throws her overboard ...” effectively lay on the famous flight of Rahman for the ropes in their first battle with Oleg.
What was seen so impressed the applicant that from the first minutes of the battle he began to “spin the bike”, working at an underlined distance from the opponent and not being shy about running around him in circles. And although Maskaev admitted on the eve of the battle that he was ready for the defensive tactics of the opponent, you can’t say this by his actions in the ring. The newfound holder of a Russian passport couldn’t catch on the constantly moving Ohello and missed heavy jabs on the way out.
The African understood that his only chance was to exhaust the opponent, and then launch a strong blow. In the third round, after a series of his not very powerful, but accurate punches, Oleg had a cut, and in the movements his severity became noticeable. But there was still no fear for the outcome of the battle. Maskaev boxed more efficiently and consistently scored points. And yet it became apparent that a quick and easy battle would not work. A few more rounds went according to the previous scenario, but adjusted for the fact that Ohello was not iron - he managed to dodge Maskaev’s blows less and less, and he switched to clinics and blocks.
Only in the eighth round did Oleg finally do what 16 thousand fans so expected in the stands of the Olimpiysky and millions who watched the fight in a live broadcast. After the attack of Ohello, he left to the right and from under his arm, towards, presented the opponent with an exact uppercut in the jaw. The Ugandan's legs gave way and he effectively collapsed onto the ropes. After this episode, thoughts about the championship belt, if they were, finally left the African. He spent all the time before the final gong, clasping his hands to his head and humbly enduring Maskaev's constant attacks. After several powerful blows Oleg Ohello barely stood on his feet. But the Ugandan did not allow himself to be knocked out, which incredibly surprised the Moscow public. Although he did not dispute the obvious: the WBC championship belt looks better on Maskaev's torso.
Now the champion is waiting for a much more serious test - the mandatory defense of the title in a duel with the winner of the fight Samuel Peter and James Toney. They will meet in early January.
But it is likely that the next fight Maskaev will hold with the world champion according to the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko. At least, both sides somehow impolitely often began to hint at its possible holding in March. However, if, after a brilliant victory over Rakhman, Maskaev’s chances in the fight with Klitschko were regarded as equal, then after tormenting with albeit uncomfortable, but not the most formidable Ohello, the stakes on the Russians will noticeably decrease. In addition, Oleg again failed to avoid injuries. At a press conference, he admitted that in one of the episodes of the duel with Ohello he injured his right hand and this also prevented him from ending the fight by knockout.
But Big O has repeatedly admitted that he won the main victories in his life when units believed in him, and the opponent’s favorite status only helps him to better tune into the fight. It is hoped that Oleg will not change this habit until the end of his career.
Andrey IVANTSOV