Oleg Maskaev BoxingInsider.com Exclusive Biofile Published by Scoop Malinowski Last Updated on April 17th, 2008

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Status: Official WBC Heavyweight challenger will fight Hasim Rahman next.

Ht: 6-3 Wt: 240

Born On: March 2, 1969 In: Zhambul, Uzbekistan

Childhood Hero: “My father (Alex). He used to be a boxer too. He has a lot of guts too. That’s what I like about him. Never gets scared.”
Hobbies/Interests: “I own a motorcycle. I like to ride the motorcycle. I like construction too. Build something.”

Early Boxing Memory: “When I started, I remember one thing…this was tough for me. Mentally. Because I was strong guy, big guy, and I always fought somebody who had the most skills, and he been in the business more than me. That’s why it was tough for me. Sometimes I got beat up pretty good, because of that. But I didn’t finish it when I was young, I didn’t quit it. Because I say I’m gonna do my best to get through this. And be a good fighter.”

First Job: “I was a miner in Kazakhstan.”

Favorite Meal: “It’s…couple…Russian borscht and Russian ravioli.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “I like cherry.”

Funny Boxing Memory: “When I was about 16. And I fought somebody – my opponent, before he stepped in the ring, that he was too nervous. That he fell on the steps and crush everything, water, bucket, everything before the fight. And he got hurt (when he fell). And that’s why they stopped the fight before it started. They cancel the fight before it started [smiles].”

Favorite Movies: “I can say who’s my favorite actor…Clint Eastwood. I like all his movies.”

Musical Tastes: “Smooth jazz.”

Pre-Fight Feeling: “I want to try and stay focused. Forget everything. I don’t pay attention to anything. Just trying to focus on my fight and that’s it.”

Greatest Career Moment: “There were a couple of fights besides the Rahman fight – everybody would say that was my best fight. I would say Rahman fight, Jefferson fight, Alex Stewart in Moscow in 1997. He was in top shape, strong, and I stopped him.”

Most Painful Moment: “I would say when I fought David Tua. And Kirk Johnson.”

Hardest Puncher(s): “All of them. All heavyweights, they can punch. They can hurt you.”

Favorite Boxers To Watch: “I would say Vitali Klitschko. And I like to watch all heavyweight bouts, even the lower class. I would watch anything. ‘Cause I like it and that’s the way we can start, we can learn something.”

Favorite Vacation Spot(s): “I like to go to the Caribbean. Cruise. There’s a lot of nice places. But I also like to go see Europe, Italy, Rome, France. And I miss Russia. Someday maybe I’ll go back. Take my family, we’re gonna see our old friends. And also my parents and brother with his family, still in Russia. So it would be nice if I would have the opportunity to go see them.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “Generally, I like to see people spiritually be okay. I mean that I like simple, nice people.”

Childhood Dream: “Probably like everybody else…have a dream to be well-known person.”