DOSSIER
Oleg MASKAEV (Russia). Born 02.03.1969 in Dzhambul (Kazakhstan). Height - 191 cm, weight - 110 kg. He played 39 fights in the professional ring: 34 wins (26 by KO), 5 losses. Nicknames - Big Oh, Cinderella.
Samuel PETER (Nigeria). Born on September 6, 1980 in Akuaibom (Nigeria). Height - 187 cm, weight - 113 kg. In the professional ring, he spent 30 fights: 29 wins (22 by KO), 1 defeat. Nickname - Nightmare.
SCHOOL
Maskaev. He began to study boxing in the fifth grader. Older schoolchildren took money from Oleg. Learning about this, the father of the future champion gave his son to the boxing section. The first coach, Erden Suleimenov, laid down the main qualities: working capacity, impact, technique. Then Oleg trained in Tashkent with Vladimir Shin, who helped the undecided guy believe in his boxing talent.
Peter. In childhood, he dreamed of football, while in the spring of 1992, the boxers of the youth team of Nigeria did not come to the school where he studied. Samuel carefully watched what and how they were doing, and then he took courage and asked permission to study with them. A month later, the rookie was sparred with a more experienced opponent, and he was knocked out. Surprised not so much by knockout as by the aggression and determination of Peter, the coaches offered Samuel a place in the team.
Patrons
Maskaev. The promoter is American Dennis Rappaport. Largely thanks to him, Oleg did not finish his career several years ago after a series of defeats. Rappaport did not put Maskev, who was disappointed in boxing, “under” superstars, but organized fights with strong middle peasants. Victory over them brought rating points and gave time to come to their senses. Managers help Oleg: American Fred Kesh and Russian Vladimir Khryunov. His coach is Puerto Rican Victor Valle Jr., who diversified the boxer's technical and tactical arsenals.
Peter. The main one is not by rank, but by importance, the man in Peter's career is manager Ivaylo Gotsev. The Bulgarian noticed a promising boxer at the Sydney Olympics and immediately after she brought to Las Vegas to sign a contract with one of the most influential promotion companies Duva Boxing. And in 2006, having bought a 50 percent stake in Duva Boxing, the notorious Don King became a co-promoter of the Nigerian heavyweight. Samuel is coached by American Andy Anderson, thanks to whom Peter in one and a half years has grown from promising to one of the main stars of the heavyweight division.
"BEHIND"
Maskaev. Psychology and experience. Oleg went through a lot, and it is impossible to surprise or frighten him with something. Even in initially unsuccessful fights, he is able, with clenched teeth, to wait a moment for an effective attack and turn the tide of the battle.
Peter. Hit. In fights with Tony, the blows of the Nigerian even to protect the opponent worried a lot. He tries not to rush headlong with a saber, but tactically wait for the moment for a decisive attack. It is also worth noting the speed of Peter.
“AGAINST ”
Maskaev. Oleg’s best years are already behind. Each new battle brings new sores in addition to the untreated old ones. Fatigue is accumulating. In the last fight with Ohello for the fifth round, the champion had shortness of breath. And even power blows to the head of the Ugandan were not able to knock him down.
Peter. Samuel is often overwhelmed with emotions, and then he starts recklessly attacking from an average distance, striving to reduce it to the limit. The opponents of the Nigerian who have a strong blow, sometimes just one hit is enough to tame the Nigerian for a long time, or even send to the floor of the ring, as was the case in the last match with McCline.
TACTICS
Maskaev. Catching Peter with oncoming blows, not allowing him to drive around the ring and push him to the ropes. It is unlikely to knock down a Nigerian in the first half of the battle, as well as defeat on points. Therefore, it is worth deliberately delaying the match with saving energy and giving all the best in the final rounds.
Peter. It is necessary to make Maskaev move as much as possible in the first rounds, attacking with jabs. Do not go too close and start decisive bulk before the sixth round. The most effective seems to be an early victory by knockout in the interval from the sixth to the eighth rounds, when their forces have not been exhausted and the opponent is already tired.
DIRECT SPEECH
Maskaev: “Peter is a very cool super heavyweight, but recently he has stopped progressing. Probably affects communication with Don King. But even so, everyone considers him the favorite of our match. Well, I’m not used to surprise critics. ”
Peter: “Needless to say, this Russian cool fighter. Maybe he doesn’t fight as spectacularly as I do, but he has an amazing shutter speed. I saw his second fight with Rahman and still am impressed. But I'm not one of those who will bow down and give way to elders. When we find ourselves in the ring, I will only think about how this big guy will fall at my feet. ”