"(I've been training for) approximately two months," Maskaev told Fightnews last week. "We broke camp on Wednesday. Basically we did everything - sparring, I've been working on lots of things and everything went good. I feel physically strong, very strong. Like never before." For a fight against Sam, arguably Maskaev's toughest opponent since Sanders, he will have to be in top physical and mental shape. "I think he's a tough fighter. I saw basically all his fights and you know, he can fight," said Maskaev. "He puts lots of pressure, throw a lot of combinations, the right hook. And that's about it."

If Maskaev should be successful against Sam he could possibly get the title shot that has alluded him throughout his career. "Right now, for me, it's a big opportunity to fight for the championship. Hopefully, we're going to get thru this fight and with God bless I'm going to win this fight." How the winner will be affected by the recent cancellation of Klitschko's defense against former Maskaev victim Hasim Rahman is yet to be seen. But if Maskaev doesn't win on Saturday all of that becomes moot. He left the United States last Friday to acclimate himself to the time change of six hours ahead and he sounded confident and focused. "It's a very important fight. Like I said I'm going to get thru this fight, we're going to win this fight and the next step will be a championship fight."