Al Bernstein On Boxing: Now You Think Of It?

By Al Bernstein July 30th, 2009 All Boxing Articles

What took David Haye and his braintrust so long to figure out that he was a lot better off fighting Nikolai Valuev for a world title than he was fighting a Klitschko?

If David had come to this realization earlier he would have spared us the charade of pulling out of the Wladimir fight and then the phony negotiations to fight Vitali.

Haye is obviously able to fight at heavyweight and will beat many heavyweights, but he won’t beat the ones who are tall, can “fight tall”, and have pop in their punch.

David was hurt by Jean Mormeck in the cruiserweight division. If and when he is hit by a really good right hand by either Klitschko, the heavyweight dream will be ended. His chances against Wladimir are remotely better because he might hurt Wladimir with one of his own punches - but that’s a longshot.

All that having been said, there will be more money for him to make off this unfortunate episode with the Klitschko if he brings a heavyweight title into the match. That was always the case and it is astonishing to me that the Haye camp didn’t get that and insisted on trying for the Klitschkos first.

I think Haye is the favorite to beat Valuev. He is much quicker than Valuev, (everyone is much quicker than Valuev), will throw enough combinations to keep the giant off balance, and he may be able to take even the best shot of the light punching Valuev.

Valuev is capable of performances that define dreadful in a new way, as evidenced by his “win” over an ancient Evander Holyfield. That version of Valuev would be raked over the coals by Haye.

If Haye can wrest the title from Valuev, I would actually suggest a defense against someone before he tackles a Klitschko, and I suggest Wladimir as his choice. In that case, Haye’s trash talking and fight promotion will seem more credible. More...

Boxing Update: Team Klitschko Goes On Record About Aborted David Haye Fights

By Boxing Press July 24th, 2009 All Press Releases

The fight between WBC Heavyweight Champion Vitali Klitschko and Briton David Haye has been canceled. It was scheduled for September, 12, in the Commerzbank-Arena in Frankfurt, Germany.

“First of all, I feel sorry for the team of the Commerzbank-Arena and for the boxing fans in the Frankfurt region," said Bernd Böente, Managing Director of the Klitschko Management Group.

"We will try to set up another Klitschko fight in this wonderful arena as soon as possible. Also for us, the cancellation was very surprising as we got informed about it through the media. More...

WBA Mandatory Challenger John Ruiz Looking To Stop Valuev vs. Haye

By Boxing Press July 24th, 2009 All Press Releases

Team Ruiz believes a potential WBA title fight title between champion Nicolai Valuev and David Haye is nothing more than a matter of wishful arrogance.

Team Ruiz has already contacted the WBA inform the organization's Championship Committee that their mandatory challenger, 2-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (43-8-1, 29 KOs), will not stand by and allow the reported Valuev-Haye title fight in November. More...

Hayemaker Boxing: Haye vs. Valuev WBA Title Fight Announced For November 7

By Boxing Press July 23rd, 2009 All Press Releases

Former undisputed world cruiserweight champion David ‘The Hayemaker’ Haye has signed a contract to meet current WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev on November 7, at a location yet to be decided.

Expected to take place in Germany, The Hayemaker’s scheduled 12-rounder with ‘The Beast From The East’ will pair the world’s most exciting heavyweight commodity with the world’s largest.

“I am thrilled to announce that my dream of becoming world heavyweight champion will be realised on November 7, when I challenge the tallest and heaviest champion of all time, Nikolai Valuev,” said Haye. More...

Klitschko Chagaev Post Fight Conference: Haye Has a Big Dirty Mouth

By Jane Warburton June 22nd, 2009 All Boxing Articles

© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

In the early hours of Sunday morning, media gathered in the press room allocated at the Veltins Arena, Germany for the post-fight press conference of Wladimir Klitschko and defeated Ruslan Chagaev.

Chagaev looked completely dejected as he sat on the top table. Wearing a peaked cap - he quietly sat alongside his trainer, diverting his eyes from the gaze of the watchful press in attendance.

Obviously, most of the talk was in German, however, there were some questions in English.

Question: Who will you fight next?

Wladimir Klitschko: "There is still the American, Chris Arreola, who is unbeaten and there is Alexander Povetkin, also still unbeaten and also David Haye. More...

Boxing Perspective: Heavyweights…As You Were

By Paul Downey June 21st, 2009 All Boxing Articles

© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

So, Wladimir Klitschko is still WBO and IBF World Heavyweight Champion, after a 10th round TKO victory over previously unbeaten Ruslan Chagaev.

But what did this fight tell us that we didn't already know regarding the stagnating heavyweight division? The answer is very little.

Chagaev, a late replacement for British contender David Haye, was coming into the fight having trained in previous months for a much bigger opponent, in 7 footer Nikolai Valuev. More...

European Boxing News: Valuev, Chagaev, Murat, Spada, Betare, Kessler

By Boxing Press April 24th, 2009 All Press Releases

By Per Ake Persson

It´s confirmed: Sauerland Event will stage Nikolai Valuev vs Ruslan Chagaev II on May 30 at the Hartwall Arena in Helsinki along with Tailor Events, Live Nation and P3 Boxing. More...

Boxing Update: Ruiz Responds To WBA

By Boxing Press September 16th, 2008 All Press Releases

Earlier today the World Boxing Association issued a response to a press release recently distributed by Team Ruiz. Team Ruiz responds below in bold type, point-by-point to the WBA's five-point statement.

After learning that serious allegations were made by Team Ruiz after his defeat against Nicolay Valuev last August 30 in Berlin, Germany, the World Boxing Association (WBA) strongly denies any wrongdoings by any of its appointed officials and wants make some statements about it. More...

Boxing Update: Team Ruiz Protests Outcome Of Valuev Rematch

By Boxing Press September 8th, 2008 All Press Releases

Two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz, 43-8-1 (29), as well as his advisor/attorney Tony Cardinale and head trainer Manny Siaca, Sr., believe they faced sizable unfair disadvantages August 30 fighting Nikolai Valuev, 49-1 (34), for the WBA heavyweight title in Berlin.

Valuev recaptured the WBA belt by way of a 12-round decision clouded in controversy. Team Ruiz is demanding a full videotape of Valuev-Ruiz II to further review for evidence of alleged corrupt practices.

Points of contention include the following issues: More...

European Boxing News: Nikolai Valuev Defeats John Ruiz Again To Win WBA Title

By Boxing Press August 31st, 2008 All Boxing Results

By Per Ake Persson

Russian giant Nikolai Valuev won a unanimous decision over John Ruiz in a rematch to win the vacant WBA heavyweight title last night at Max Schmeling Halle in Berlin, Germany.

It was scored 116-111, 116-113 and 114-113, all for Valuev, but it was however first announced as a split decision, which was due to a mix-up in the scoring slips used by the judges. More...

Former WBA Boxing Champ John Ruiz Challenges His Media Critics

By Boxing Press August 8th, 2008 All Press Releases

Two-time World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz, 43-7-1 (29), has issued a challenge to his media critics regarding his style.

Over the years, Ruiz often has been criticized for his unpopular “clutch-and-grab” style, but in his last three fights with head trainer Manny Siaca, Sr. in his corner, “The Quietman” has returned to the aggressive fighter he was when he first won the heavyweight title in 2001. More...

Boxing Update: Ruiz, Valuev To Rematch August 30 In Berlin For WBA Title

By Boxing Press July 23rd, 2008 All Press Releases

Two-time WBA Heavyweight Champion John "The Quietman" Ruiz, 43-7-1 (29), rated # 2 by the WBA, travels to Germany once again to fight the 7-0, 320-pound giant who took his title belt over two years ago, # 1 contender Nikolai Valuev, 48-1 (34), on August 30 in Berlin. More...

European Boxing News: Sam, Sylvester, Sturm, Pascal, Gulyakevich, Sanavia

By Boxing Press July 17th, 2008 All Press Releases

By Per Ake Persson

The EBU have declared Sinan Samil Sam as winner in the fight for the vacant European Heavyweight title against Paolo Vidoz on July 4. The fight was scored a draw but one of the judges - Frenchman Robin Dolpierre - first had the final round 10-9 for Sam, then crossed out the 9 and scored the round 10-10. More...

Boxing Update: Ruiz Gets Another WBA Title Shot

By Boxing Press July 4th, 2008 All Press Releases

The World Boxing Association ruled today at its Directory Meeting that WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev will be considered “champion in recess” due to an injury and that he has until June 26, 2009 to fight for the title.

Negotiations have started between representatives of the WBA’s top two rated heavyweights, ex-WBA champion Nikolai Valuev and former two-time WBA title-holder John “The Quietman” Ruiz, respectively, to fight for the WBA “regular” heavyweight championship belt. More...

Ruiz-Valuev boxing rematch for WBA championship

By Boxing Press June 27th, 2008 All Press Releases

Soon after it was announced that WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev had pulled out of his July 5 mandatory title defense against former WBA title-holder and No. 1 contender, Nikolai Valuev, due to another injury, John Ruiz, through his advisor and attorney, Tony Cardinale, contacted World Boxing Association officials demanding that, in accordance with WBA rules and regulations, the championship be vacated and negotiations ordered to begin for a title fight between Valuev and former 2-time world heavyweight champion, WBA No. 2-rated John “The Quietman” Ruiz (43-7-1, 29 KOs). More...

International Boxing News

By Boxing Press May 21st, 2008 All Press Releases

Ruslan Chagaev´s postponed defense of the WBA Heavyweight Title against Nikolai Valuev will according to German news agency DPA take place on July 5. The site has not determined. Meanwhile Universum strongly dismiss a story in Bild Zeitung as to why the fight was postponed. According to the tabloid, basing its story on Chagaev´s former manager Taymas Niyazov, the champ suffers from a detached retina that he had surgery on already back in 2001 - but now the injury is even worse. More...