Germany's "Gentleman Boxer" Plans Comeback

The one-time cruiserweight world champion Henry Maske is getting ready to box again -- but just once.

"There is only going to be one single fight against world champion Virgil Hill, who I lost against in 1996 in my last fight," Maske told the German mass daily Bild. Maske said the defeat, which he lost on points, has occupied him over the last decade.

"Now I have a chance to face up to Hill one more time," Maske said. "So, I absolutely want to use this chance."

Little understanding for Maske's motivations

According to Germany's commercial television network RTL, which has secured the broadcast rights for Maske's comeback, the fight will take place sometime in early 2007. By then, the German boxer will be 43.

Maske's former promoter, Wilfried Sau, is perplexed about the decision.

"It's really not clear to me," Sau said. "At first, I didn't believe it. But then I got a call, and I must say, I'm very disappointed."

Women's world champion Regina Halmich said Maske's decision was "madness."

"It is very gutsy to say at the age of 42, after a 10-year break, I'm going to box -- and then against Virgil Hill," Halmich said. "He shouldn't forget that he has a very big reputation to lose. He's our gentleman."

Maske has often been called "the gentleman boxer" because of his classic style and excellent manners both inside and outside of the boxing ring.

What does Maske want to prove?

Maske said the reason he had decided to step back into the ring one more time was Hill's victory earlier this year that gave the American the WBA cruiserweight title.

"I thought, that can't be true," Maske said. "He's only 12 days younger than I am." He said he started to itch to get back into the game. But Maske's itch is Sau's scratch. He can't figure out why Maske, who has everything, would want to do this to himself.

"Henry at 42 is far from making any comeback," Sau said. "He doesn't need the money. He's had a great career. He has businesses with a few hundred employees. He has a fine family. I just can't imagine what he needs to prove."

Former world champion Dariusz Michalczewski said there were two possibilities for Maske's motivation.

"Either he's bored and has earned too much money and doesn't know what he should do now," Michalczewski said. "Or he needs money. I can't imagine that he'll beat Hill."

Physically, Maske said he's in good shape. He had a routine checkup last fall and the bones, brain and inner organs were all okay. Maske said he's been in training since mid-March and he's planning a training camp for his bout against Hill for September.

Commentators have said the idea for the fight came from RTL executives, who have been looking for new quota-catching programs. There are no big ticket attractions at the moment, now that RTL no longer broadcasts German first division soccer and interest in Formula 1 racing and ski-jumping has been waning among German television viewers.