Seven-Bout Card Scheduled For Casino Feb. 4

Oleg Maskaev, whose only losses came against two impressive opponents, will meet Jeff Wooden in the main event on the next professional boxing card at Coeur d’Alene Tribal Bingo Casino.

The show - billed as the “Valentine’s Day Massacre” - is scheduled for Feb. 4, at the casino’s House of Fury in Worley, Idaho.

The first of seven professional bouts will start at 7 p.m. Doors open at 5:30.

In the co-feature, Josh Dempsey takes on journeyman Tyrone Booze in a 10-round heavyweight scrap.

The card includes five heavyweight fights and two welterweight bouts, both involving boxers with local ties.

Sarah Schmedding of Greenacres will take on an opponent to be named later in a four-round welterweight preliminary. Ron Cornell of Jerome, Idaho, makes his pro debut against welterweight Jason Parillo of Tustin, Calif., who’s off to a 2-0 start as a pro.

A native of Kazakhstan, Maskaev (15-2) fought for the national amateur heavyweight championship of the then-U.S.S.R. Although he lost to Nioclaj Kulpin, he came back to beat Kulpin twice in subsequent tournaments, according to a news release from promoter Moe Smith.

Maskaev is heavyweight champion of a governing body listed by Cedric Kushner Sports Network of New York as the PanAsian Boxing Association.

Maskaev was knocked out in one round by former WBC champion Oliver McCall in February, 1996. He was leading David Tua on points when Tua knocked him out in the 11th in April.

He’s won four straight since then, including an eight-round decision over tough journeyman Mo Wilson, who fought and lost a controversial decision in Worley in November.

Wooden (18-7-0), of Fort Bragg, N.C., had a long and successful career as an amateur. He won his first eight pro fights by knockout, before encountering tougher opposition on the way up the heavyweight ladder.

On the undercard, Jesse Reid, Jr., of Westminster, Calif., will risk his 3-0 record against a yet-to-be announced heavyweight.

Obed Sullivan, whose record is listed as 29-4-1, meets Guy Sonnenberg (12-16-2) in a six-round preliminary.

Ed Wright, a Kansas City heavyweight with a 9-1-1 record, is also lined up to fight. His opponent has yet to be announced, Smith said.

Unbeaten David Bostice (13-0-1) will go after Louis Monaco (7-16-2) in another heavyweight prelim.

Dempsey, of Torrence, Calif., has achieved 18 of his 19 wins by knockout. Also known as Josh Gormley, Dempsey was perfect in three 1998 fights at the casino. All three ended early, two by TKO and one- in September against Clement Hassan - in a first-round KO.

Tickets at $12.50, $25 and $50 are available through G&B, or at the casino.

Whitworth hires coach

Steve Rupe, an assistant at Mead High School, has been hired as head volleyball coach at Whitworth College, athletic director Scott McQuilkin announced Thursday.

Rupe, a 1989 Whitworth graduate, replaces Reed Duffus, who resigned at midseason during his first year.

Rupe inherits a team that finished 3-20 overall, and one which started four freshmen for most of the season.

He earned an elementary education degree at Whitworth and has been teaching at Colbert Elementary School since 1990. Rupe will continue to teach at Colbert.

At Mead, Rupe helped coach Judy Kight guide the Panthers to a 44-8 record over three seasons.