Boxing Video: An Interview with Oleg Maskaev

Division: Heavyweight 

Record: 30-5, 24 knockouts

Promoter: Dennis Rappaport and Fred Kesch

Trainer: Victor Valle Jr.

The Skinny: Maskaev has won 8 in a row since losing by knockout to Corrie Sanders in 2002. All the victims have been of the “opponent” variety, but the streak has gotten him back into the division's top 10. He says that new trainer Victor Valle Jr. has made him a better defensive fighter.

Of interest: When Vitali Klitschko defends his WBC heavyweight title against Hasim Rahman in May, Maskaev will hold the distinction of having knocked both men out. He stopped Klitschko in the amateurs a decade ago when both were still living in Russia. He knocked out  Rahman in 1999. Rappaport says, “Maybe Oleg should referee the fight?”