Maskaev Stops Rahman Tko12

Four horsemen of the Soviet apocalypse toast boxing

America’s last line of defense, aka Hasim Rahman, lost his WBC heavyweight crown to former conqueror and new heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev.

Big O stopped Rahman in the 12th and final round Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack in Las Vegas with a dramatic, come-from-behind, last-minute rally.

Maskaev was facing uncertain defeat in an entertaining, equally matched bout, until he landed several blows, knocking Rahman into the ropes.

Referee Jay Nady stepped in and stopped the fight with 43 seconds remaining in the bout.

Hasim Rahman was the sole remaining heavyweight champion who was born in the USA, the sort of factoid for which Rock may be best remembered.

The new WBC heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev now joins fellow former Eastern Bloc homies Wladimir Klitschko (IBF), Nicolay Valuev (WBA) and Sergei Liakhovitch (WBO) as the baddest man on the planet.

And there’s not a Yank in sight…