Oleg Maskaev vs. Samuel Peter
Manny Pacquiao vs. Marco Antonio Barrera
It’s not everyday you get a world championship boxing match, and you hardly ever get two on the same day. If you are a true boxing fan then this is the day you’ve been waiting for. The first championship match will take place at Madison Square Garden and will pit WBA heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev vs. challenger Samuel Peter. The second title match of the evening sends us all the way across America to Las Vegas. Manny Pacquiao, WBA super featherweight champion, will face Marco Antonio Barrera in a rematch of Pacquiao’s 11th round knockout of Barrera almost four years ago.
Oleg Maskaev (34-5 26 KO’s) has had one heck of an up and down roller coaster of a career. The former Russian soldier started his career in 1993 against an undefeated fighter who was 21-0, and knocked that unlucky guy out in three. Many people have said that Maskaev was one of the worst managed fighters ever, and with matchmaking like that it’s no telling why. In just his seventh fight he was pitted against former world champion Oliver McCall, but was knocked out in the first round of this fight. In fact all five of his loses have came by knockouts, but it’s been five years since his last loss. In August of 06’ he knocked out Hasim Rahman for the second time, and has only had one fight since then, a 12 round decision over overmatched Peter Okhello. Some believe that Maskaev’s chin has been a result of a mental problem, and that he may have overcame that in his later years. The now 38 year old will have to hope it’s mental, because his challenger is one of the hardest hitters in the game.
“The Nigerian Nightmare,” Samuel Peter (28-1 22 KO’s) brings with him the ultimate equalizer in boxing, power. Peter’s only loss came against the best heavyweight in the world Wladimir Klitschko. Since that loss, a 12 round decision in which he knocked Klitschko down three times, he has won his next four. In his last two fights he has beat James Toney. In their first encounter Peter won a disputed 12 round split decision. In the next fight Peter came in eight pounds lighter and won a much easier decision. Some people credit this to Toney being past his prime, and others say Toney has greatly improved. I think it’s a bit of both, but I do favor Peter in this one due to the age of Maskaev, and Peter’s power.
If you get a quick enough flight you can fly across America just in time for Pacquiao and Barrera. Manny Pacquiao (44-3-2 35 KO’s) is the best and most exciting little fighter in the world today. Many are wondering why this fight would turn out any different then the first fight, being that Pacquiao thoroughly dominated the first fight en route to knocking out the Mexican legend in 11 one-sided rounds. Also adding to that is challenger Barrera (63-5 42 KO’s) is no “Baby Faced Assassin,” anymore, being now 33 years old. But, let’s not jump ahead so quickly. Pacquiao is facing many distractions heading into this fight. He has just ended a failed run at office for a Philippine government position that apparently cost him more money then he expected. There are also questions as to how seriously Pacquiao is taking training. He has already made various trips across the oceans between America and the Philippians training, but has obviously not stayed in one place long enough to focus. There are also reports that Pacquiao likes the nightlife, and is quick to bet a few bucks on a pool game or a chicken fight. What also must be remembered is that before their first encounter Barrera had a major distraction of his own. He was constantly being pulled aside for questioning regarding a brain surgery procedure he had many years ago. Barrera is legendary for how hard he trains, and with those distractions he was unable to complete training the way he likes to. This time it’s Pacquiao with the distractions and Barrera with the clear head. Barrera is coming off of a loss against Juan Manuel Marquez, but many people that Barrera earned that decision. Pacquiao will be the favorite, and rightfully so, but an upset here wouldn’t shock yours truly. Barrera has only the one knockout loss on his record. What should also be taken into account is that Barrera is ending the near of his career, and many Mexican legends, including his long time rival Erik Morales, have found away to put everything together for one last great fight, knowing they have the rest of their lives to recover.
This should be a great night for boxing fans. If you aren’t a boxing fan I can’t think of another night of boxing that you shouldn’t try out to at least try to make you a fan. Enjoy October 6th, hopefully it is the start of a red hot winter of boxing
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