By Alexey Sukachev

It’s official. Comebacking former WBC heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev (37-7, 28 KOs) continues his road back into the title contention on May 26 in Saransk, Russia. Maskaev, who stopped a shot version of Owen Beck in three in late December 2012, will face a well-travelled American journeyman Jason Gavern (21-14-4, 10 KOs).

Maskaev, 44, retired shortly after his crushing defeat (TKO 1) to unheralded Nagy Aguilera in December 2009 and was out for three years. Gavern, who was once ranked in top-15 by the WBC, is on a losing streak, dropping his last six. In his latest fight, the crowd-pleasing performer was decked four times en route to the first-round loss to another veteran Amir Mansour. Gavern is eight years younger than the Big O.