Boxing Update: Integrated Sports Will Televise Valuev vs. Haye WBA Title Fight

North American boxing fans can view the much-anticipated “David vs. Goliath” WBA heavyweight championship boxing match between Nikolai “The Russian Giant” Valuev and David “The Hayemaker” Haye, live on Pay-Per-View on Saturday, Nov. 7 from Nuremberg, Germany.

Valuev (50-1, 34 KOs), from St. Petersburg, Russia, is the two-time and current WBA heavyweight champion and has fought and defeated a “Who’s Who” of heavyweight champions including Evander “The Real Deal Holyfield, John Ruiz (twice), and Sergey Lyakhovich.

He also holds the distinction of being the tallest and heaviest champion in history at a daunting 7 feet and 325 pounds.

Haye, (22-1, 21 KOs), from London, England, wreaked havoc on the cruiserweight division with a knockout percentage over 90 percent. He left the division last year to move up to heavyweight, while still on top as the unified WBA/WBC/WBO cruiserweight champion.

The question to be answered is will the smaller yet faster Haye bring his explosiveness to the heavyweight division against an opponent he will be giving away 9 inches in height and about 100 pounds in weight against.

Many boxing experts thing Haye has the perfect skill set of speed and power to frustrate the bigger and taller champion. Valuev claims he has faced and defeated numerous fighters with superior speed.

“Nikolai Valuev is a giant of a man with a giant heart,” King said. “He’s philosophical and intuitive inside and outside the ring.

“David Haye is new to the heavyweights, and Niko is a veteran world champion. I hope the Brit knows what he’s getting into as my man has proven time and again that size and talent rule the day in the heavyweight division.”

Valuev captured the WBA title by defeating John Ruiz in 2005 and made numerous successful defenses before suffering the sole loss of his career in a razor-thin, disputed majority decision at the hands of Ruslan Chagaev in 2007.

After Valuev earned the right to a re-match with Chagaev, a series of medical problems caused Chagaev to be stripped of the title. In the end, Valuev’s win in a re-match with Ruiz last year resulted in him becoming WBA champion for a second time.

“The Hayemaker” has beaten four world cruiserweight champions: Enzo Maccarinelli (TKO1) for the WBA/WBC/WBO crowns, Jean Marc Mormeck (TKO7) for the WBC/WBA championships, Giacobbe Fragomeni (TKO9) for the European title and “King” Arthur Williams (TKO3). Haye’s only pro loss was 13 fights ago to Carl Thompson (TKO5) in 2004.

“We are excited to be distributing this great heavyweight title fight between the 7-foot ‘Russian Giant,’ Nicolai Valuev, and the charismatic David Haye,” Integrated Sports president Doug Jacobs said.

“North American fight fans want to see more of the spectacle, Valuev, and they wonder if Haye can back-up what he’s been saying. This is a true David versus Goliath match-up in every sense. Strong supporting bouts also airing on this pay-per-view card will soon be announced.”

Valuev-Haye is promoted by Wilfried Sauerland’s Sauerland Event and its Managing Director, Christian Meyer, in association with Don King Productions. The broadcast is being distributed by Integrated Sports in the United States by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 3 PM/ET – 12 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIirect-TV, TVN, Viewer’s Choice and Bell TV for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. A replay will be shown that same night at 9 PM/ET, 6 PM/PT.

Legendary promoter Don King co-promotes Valuev with Sauerland Event.