Maskaev Makes it 4/4 for the Former U.S.S.R.

LAS VEGAS, NV - Oleg Maskaev sent American-born Hasim Rahman staggering to the canvas, and a sweep of title belts was complete.

For the first time, all four heavyweight titles belong to fighters who are from the former Soviet bloc.

But Maskaev wants his adopted land to look past his accent and his European boxing style. The former Russian Army officer, who is a U.S. citizen, wants to be considered the heavyweight champion from America.

Maskaev stopped Rahman in the 12th round Saturday night with a dramatic last-minute rally to win the WBC heavyweight title.

As Maskaev grabbed his new belt and Rahman collected himself, the crowd of Maskaev's countrymen -- both new and old -- wildly cheered one of the more exciting title fights in years in a downtrodden heavyweight division.

"I believed up to the last minute I could win this fight," Maskaev said.

The 37-year-old Maskaev (33-5) has won 11 bouts in a row. He was impressive in the final round, knocking the champion into the ropes with a series of blows.

Rahman (41-6-2) desperately tried to hold on until the final bell. But referee Jay Nady stopped the fight with 43 seconds left after one last Maskaev flurry in front of a Thomas & Mack Center crowd of 8,842.

"The ref said 'break' and I stopped, and he let him keep throwing punches," Rahman said. "I thought I was winning the fight and I got caught with a shot. I thought I was supposed to stop when the ref said 'break' and I put my hands down.

"I'm really disappointed."

Rahman, 33, was the only U.S.-born heavyweight champion left in a division long dominated by Americans.

Maskaev, born in Kazakhstan, lives in New York. Three Eastern European champions -- Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko (IBF), Russia's Nicolai Valuev (WBA) and Sergei Lyakhovich (WBO) of Belarus -- hold the other significant heavyweight belts.

"I'm proud of where I come from, but I consider myself a Russian- American," Maskaev said. "This is a message to everyone: European fighters are tough."

Maskaev led 106-103 on judge Jerry Roth's scorecard entering the 12th round, while Anek Hongtongkam favored Rahman 106-103. Glenn Trowbridge had Maskaev ahead 105-104, leaving Rahman in need of winning the 12th round to force a draw.

Maskaev knocked Rahman out in the eighth round of a 1999 bout.

Bobby Roy
West Coast Correspondent

Information from other publications and wire services was used in the compilation of this report.