Boxing: The Great White Hope

For years boxing fans have been wondering when the next “white” boxer would become the next world heavyweight-boxing champion of the world. Tommy Morrison was the last boxer labelled the “Great White Hope” and contrary to belief did win the IBC and WBO tile, beating an ageing Razor Ruddock and grandpa Foreman.

Black American boxers have dominated boxing. Names like Joe Louis, Ezzard Charles, Sonny Liston, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson & Evander Holyfield showed the strength of American talent.

In the last few years, a new breed of boxing champions, have emerged from the ex-Soviet Union and have competed and won all the recognised international belts.

Nikolay Valuev (Russia) is the WBA champion
Wladimir Klitschko (Ukraine) is the IBF champion
Serguei Lyakhovich (Belarus) is the WBO champion

Kazakhstan-born Oleg Maskaev is the latest heavyweight champion of the world. He stopped Hasim Rahman in the last round to win the WBC heavyweight title in Las Vegas.

Maskaev, (who became a US citizen in 2004), was upset at Rahman being dubbed "America's Last Line of Defence".

This is a message to everyone: European fighters are tough." said Maskaev, a former Russian Army officer.

"I think American heavyweights are a little spoiled, make too much money too quick and lose sight of the grand prize which is to win the title and keep it."

Well done to Oleg and all the other boxers. They are hungry and deserve their titles. Hopefully these “diluted” belts will soon be united and we will have a recognised world champion. These could be exciting times for boxing fans - Bring it on!