19.06.05 – That great old tradition of the ‘Friday Night Fights’ returns June 24th at Trump’s Taj Mahal. In a nationally televised bout presented by Dennis Rappaport Productions, Oleg (the Cinderella story) Maskaev, the highly ranked heavyweight is pitted against the always dangerous Terrence ‘the Terror’ Lewis, who holds victories over Levi Billups, Al Cole and knockouts over Robert Davis and Darroll Wilson. The co-feature will showcase Johnny ‘Boy’ Vargas, considered among the best prospects in the super-middleweight division. This charismatic fighter with matinee good looks will be in a most competitive 8 rounder.
Maskaev has knocked out the WBC #1 contender, former heavyweight champion, Hasim Rahman as will as stopping the current WBC champion, Vitali Klitchko, in the 1st round when they were both amateur stars in Russia.
Maskaev is truly boxing’s Cinderella story of the 21st century. After knocking out many well-known heavyweights, he suffered setbacks and disappointments and looked like he was quickly traveling the road to Palookavile.. This outstanding family man, father of 4 precious daughters, was frustrated and depressed and was thinking about retirement. Would he be just another story of a grossly mismanaged fighter going down the boulevard of broken dreams and blighted spirits? He then met promoter Dennis Rappaport and manager Fred Kesch and began the new dawn like a breath of fresh air. The hopelessness was replaced with hopefulness, where there was once joylessness, was now joyfulness, and he once again began to dream the impossible dream of becoming the Heavyweight Champion of the World. Rappaport and Kesch brought in a whole new team, boxing trainer Victor Vallee, Jr., strength conditioner Harrison Skeets, winner of 23 gold medals, sports psychologist Robert Palumbo, a specialist in subliminal motivation and nutritionist and flexibility coach, Rusten Val. With the new team Oleg has won 8 in a row, 7 by knockout. Fred Kesch states, ‘Oleg Maskaev is a far more explosive puncher today, with devastating power coupled with dazzling boxing skills’, making Maskaev the biggest threat in the heavyweight division.
There have been discussions of Oleg fighting Klitchko for the Heavyweight Championship in September, but the dream would become a nightmare if he doesn’t beat Lewis.
Victoria, my baby girl, loves Cinderella and asks me if I am the Cinderella story. I tell her first I must win the Heavyweight Championship, and then I can look her in the eye and say “yes”. “Yes” Victoria, your father’s story is definitely a Cinderella story.