Drodz: Comeback win shows Maskaev not fit

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MOSCOW, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Former WBC heavyweight champ Oleg Maskaev isn't fit to fight and should return to retirement, cruiserweight contender Grigory Drozd said Monday.

Drozd, the WBA International champion, made his comments to R-Sport after Maskaev, 43, knocked out Owen Beck Sunday following a three-year absence, RIA Novosti reported.

While congratulating Maskaev on the win, Drozd, 33, said "in my soul" he wanted Maskaev to "finish on this note and get on with something else."

He questioned Maskaev's fitness during the fight, saying, "I'd have liked to have seen him in slightly different form in terms of speed and reflexes."

Beck lost his last eight fights before the Sunday encounter, Drozd said, and Maskaev' win in the fight was not a reason for him to consider a comeback.

Drozd has a 36-1 record. Maskaev is 37-7 after the win over Beck, but it was his first victory since March 2009.