RSSNikolai Valuev
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Liakhovich Clarifies Situation
WBA #2-rated former WBO Heavyweight Champion Sergei “White Wolf” Liakhovich (23-2, 14 KOs) and his manager, Ivaylo Gotzev, say they’re enraged at the “weak attempts” being made by former WBA Champ John Ruiz and his people to discredit Liakhovich’s hard-earned reputation.
Responding to a press release issued today, in which Ruiz’s legal advisor, attorney, Anthony Cardinale, tries to paint Liakhovich as a reluctant warrior for his refusal to face Ruiz this Saturday in Chicago, Gotzev paints a clearer picture of the situation.
The original offer, until a few days ago, was for two ex-champions to fight each other without any guarantees that it would be for any kind of improved position in the rankings. The most we could have won (by facing Ruiz) was to remain WBA number two. There was nothing to gain other than two ex-champions fighting off-TV. We are in a position in the rankings to fight for a championship soon if we don’t take any stupid offers like this one.”
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Sunday, September 30, 2007
Valuev: “This is a New Start for Me”
Nikolai Valuev completed a successful return to the ring on Saturday night when he clinched a unanimous points victory over Jean-Francois Bergeron.
In his first fight since losing the WBA belt to Ruslan Chagaev, the Russian Giant cruised to an uncontested 118-111, 117-111, 118-111 verdict against the previously unbeaten Canadian.
Valuev strongly went for the kill in the last two rounds but Bergeron proved his heart and refused to give in.
“I am pleased with my performance tonight,” Valuev (47-1, 34 KOs) said. “I would have loved to win by knock-out but it wasn´t possible. It doesn´t matter, though. Going twelve rounds against a southpaw was a good test. This was a new start for me.”
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Monday, July 02, 2007
EEC - July 2, 2007
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- The rumors are true: Felix Trinidad will be coming out of retirement to fight later this year, most likely in December.
- Oleg Maskaev’s showdown against Samuel Peter has been moved from September 29th to October 6th on Showtime and will now take place at Madison Square Garden according to Don King. Showtime is looking to fill the vacant September 29th weekend spot with a possible matchup between Antonio Tarver and Chad Dawson, provided they are both victorious in their bouts on June 9th.
- Contract talks between the camps of Jermain Taylor and Kelly Pavlik are almost finished according to Lou DiBella. Taylor would end up defending his middleweight titles on September 29th on HBO. DiBella says that he is currently attempting to hold the event at Boardwalk Hall.
- NetBoxe is reporting that WBC and WBA Cruiserweight Champion Jean-Marc Mormeck is currently in talks with the camp of David Haye for a possible fight on September 28th.
- Nikolai Valuev and Vladimir Virchis look set to fight at some point this fall. The deadline for purse bids for this fight is July 30th according to Per Ake Persson of Boxing Scene.
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Sunday, April 22, 2007
Chagaev Changes Heavyweight Picture
Ruslan Chagaev’s victory over Nickolay Valuev to capture the WBA version of the title could be the start of a chain reaction that may change the whole landscape of the heavyweight picture. There was immediate talk of a rematch with Valuev but nothing more has been said. There have been rumors of Chagaev meeting former WBO titleholder Sergei Liakhovich but as of right now they are just that, rumors. Current WBO champion Shannon Briggs is set to take on Sultan Ibragimov. WBC title claimant Oleg Maskaev will put his title on the line against dangerous Samuel Peter. The IBF champion and the boxer regarded by most as the best heavyweight in the world, Wladimir Klitschko will defend against previous conqueror Lamon Brewster. It will be very interesting to see which four are left standing after the smoke clears.
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Monday, April 16, 2007
Valuev: “The Better Fighter Won”
Nikolai Valuev has vowed to bounce back stronger than ever after losing his WBA heavyweight belt to Ruslan Chagaev. The mandatory challenger handed the Russian Giant his first defeat in 48 contests when he clinched a close majority decision in Stuttgart on Saturday night. He was ahead 115-113 and 117-111 on two scorecards while the third judge called the bout a 114-114 draw. “It certainly was an exciting encounter and a great night of boxing - except for the outcome,” manager Wilfried Sauerland stated. “It was very close.”
Valuev (46-1, 34 KOs) was off to the better start and kept marching forward throughout the twelve rounds, working cleverly behind his left jab. However, it was Chagaev who landed the clearer punches. The crowd roared every time he got through with his southpaw left - even though it did little to impress the Russian Giant, who proved his great chin. Chagaev dominated the middle of the fight before Valuev upped pressure towards the end, firing in a few good combinations himself. The pattern remained the same, with Chagaev relying on his speed and counter-punches and Valuev controlling the center of the ring. “I committed too many mistakes,” he admitted. “I did not throw enough punches and also had trouble finding my feet. I am respectful of my opponent and have to admit that the decision was okay. The better fighter won.”
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EEC - April 16, 2007
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- Infamous boxing promoter Don King has a plan to crown an undisputed heavyweight champion through a series of fights before the end of 2008…
“I think the title should be unified. To have one undisputed, identifiable world champion would make everything better,” King told Reuters in an exclusive interview.
“It would restore the magic,” he said.
King made the statement one day after his latest heavyweight client, Nikolai Valuev, lost his WBA Heavyweight Belt to Ruslan Chagaev. He said that Valuev winning would have given him more power in making his plan a reality but is set on doing so anyway.
King said that it would take roughly $30 million in order to make the tournament happen and that it could be very easy to gather the money, even if it has to come out of his own pocket…
The outcomes of the Briggs-Ibragimov, Klitschko-Brewster, and Maskaev-Peter fights this summer will set up the beginning of the projected series of fights according to King.
- For those of you that are wondering, there hasn’t been an undisputed champion since right before Mike Tyson lost to Buster Douglas in 1990…
- The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation is apparently refusing to release the purse values of Manny Pacquiao and Jorge Solis from their featherweight bout on Saturday night to the public…
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Sunday, April 15, 2007
Chagaev Wins Upset Majority Decision for WBA Title
Rocky’s record is safe but I almost have to feel for previously undefeated Nickolay Valuev. Challenger Ruslan Chagaev was awarded a twelve round majority decision and with it the WBA heavyweight title. One judge had it a draw. The other two scored it for Chagaev. I had Valuev winning by a couple of rounds and I thought that I was being generous to Chagaev. Nickolay had his jab out there in Chagaev’s face the entire fight. Ruslan landed the harder shots with occasional straight lefts to the head and body but for the most part Valuev kept him on the outside. Neither man was seriously hurt in a contest I found rather boring.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
MSG Network To Air Valuev-Chagaev
NEW YORK – MSG, a world class sports and entertainment network, has acquired the television rights to air the WBA heavyweight championship fight between WBA champion Nikolai “Giant Russian” Valuev and undefeated heavyweight contender Ruslan Chagaev. The fight will be telecast live on MSG from Stuttgart, Germany on Saturday, April 14 at 4:30 pm ET. It will be re-broadcast on MSG the following Saturday, April 21 at 8:00 pm and 11:00 pm, additional airings will occur throughout the month of April. International boxing commentator Dave Bontempo will call the action for the fight.
This is the second time in the past month that MSG has acquired an overseas boxing match to air live on the network. On March 17 MSG aired the highly anticipated WBC and WBA cruiserweight rematch fight between O’Neil ‘Supernova’ Bell and Jean-Marc Mormeck live from Levallois-Perret, France.
Nikolai Valuev (46-0, 34 KOs) is the biggest and tallest champion of all time, holding an amazing 11 inch height advantage over the undefeated Ruslan Chagaev (22-0, 17 KOs). Valuev is only four wins away from breaking the 49-0 record of legendary boxer Rocky Marciano. Valuev vs. Chagaev is a Sauerland Event and Don King Productions.
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Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Valuev Unsure of Chagaev’s Challenge
WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev is unsure whether Saturday´s clash with mandatory challenger Ruslan Chagaev will be the toughest fight of his career. “That is something we will find out in the ring,” the Russian Giant said at today´s public work-out. “This fight is no different from my previous bouts. I am always prepared for my opponents.”
The biggest and tallest champion of all time (47-0), who is closing in on Rocky Marciano´s dream record of 49 fights without defeat, will use the remaining four days to “preserve my great form”. To get in the right frame of mind, he won´t just be working inside the gym. “I will go for walks and also go fishing,” he stated. “I found a nice little shop here in Stuttgart where I will buy a new fishing rod today.”
Funnily enough, his Uzbek challenger is no stranger to odd preparational methods himself. Coach Michael Timm put Chagaev through interesting work-outs during the long preparation. “Sometimes I would be standing on a box for Ruslan to get a feel for his size,” Timm revealed. “Facing a seven-footer certainly is very difficult.”
Chagaev (23-0) admitted a dream would come true for him on Saturday. “I have been working very hard to get a world title shot,” he stated. “It is my goal to become world champion. Now I have the chance and I want to make the most of it.”
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Valuev: “Chagaev No Different Than The Others”
Undefeated WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev expects his first mandatory title defense to be business as usual. The Russian Giant (46-0, 34 KOs) comes face to face with top-ranked contender Ruslan Chagaev (22-0-1, 17 KOs) in Stuttgart on April 14. “The fight will be no different from my other bouts,” Valuev said at today´s press conference in Stuttgart. “The fact that it will be my first mandatory defense does not make a difference at all. I take him very seriously. I´ve been in training for weeks.”
Last Sunday, Valuev flew from St. Petersburg to Berlin to continue his preparations in the Max-Schmeling-Gym. “Together with my coach Manuel Gabrielian I have been watching tapes of Chagaev every day in order to work out the strategy for the fight,” the 33-year-old added. “However, I can´t say anything else about my tactics or my opponent since he is sitting right next to me right now.”
Chagaev´s camp remained tight-lipped on how they plan to overcome the gigantic height advantage of 11 inches. Yet the Uzbek challenger is confident he will be ready come April 14. “This is the biggest fight of my life,” he said. “To have the chance and fight for the world title is the highlight of my career. I will do all I can to make the most of it. I have been working out very well and will be in top shape on April 14.”
Sauerland sports director Hagen Doering admitted he was pleased that both Sauerland Event and Universum Box Promotion had found common ground during the negotiations. “It was good that both sides came to terms before the purse bid,” he vowed. “Now we can focus on the boxing.”
After the press conference was over, Valuev wasted no time and immediately called his wife Galina in St. Petersburg. She had given birth to their second child - Irina - last week. Both Galina and Irina are doing fine and were allowed to leave the hospital today. “Now Grisha (5) has to get used to having a little sister,” the Russian Giant smiled.