Russian president Vladimir Putin granted boxer Oleg
Maskaev citizenship Saturday, a day before the heavyweight defends
his WBC crown in the first world title bout held in his adopted
country.
The 37-year-old Maskaev, who was born in Kazakhstan when it was
part of the Soviet Union, has lived in the United States for more
than a decade and is a U.S. citizen. Russia does not prohibit dual
citizenship.
Maskaev will be fighting Japan's Peter Okhello in a 12-round bout
at Olympisky Sports Arena in Moscow. Maskaev captured the WBC title
in August with a 12th-round knockout of Hasim Rahman.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
