Germany's Henry Maske, who retired in November of 1996 after losing a split decision to Virgil Hill, returned to the ring for the first time in 10 1/2 years today, beating Hill by unanimous decision on scores of 117-110, 117-110 and 116-113.
Maske was a gold medalist at the 1988 Olympics, and turned pro in 1990, fighting his career at light heavyweight. The rematch with Hill today was Maske's first fight ever at cruiserweight.
Maske is 43 years old, so this is obviously something of a surprise. Hill is 43, too, but he's been boxing. To come back at 43 after almost 11 years out of the sport and beat a good, active fighter -- that's really something. It's a hell of a story.
Really, the fight means nothing given the advanced age of the two and the fact that neither of them are going to be beating the top cruisers, but whatever. A good story is a good story.