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In Germany this evening, two former world heavyweight champions, looking to put themselves back into title contention, collide.
Russian giant Nikolay Valuev, the former WBA Champion, takes on former WBO kingpin Sergei Liakhovich at Nuremberg Arena in a fascinating contest that neither man can afford to lose.
The clash will be the first time that the Scottsdale, Arizona based Belarusian Liakhovich has been in action since losing his title to muscle bound but lethargic American underachiever Shannon Briggs 15 months ago.
That night Liakhovich, 23-2 (14), was in control of what had been a relatively poor title match up until, in the final stanza, when both men were seemingly out of gas, Briggs got off a clubbing right hand that wobbled the Belarusian before another put him down in the corner of the ring. Liakhovich did get back up but was shaky and Briggs ended proceedings by knocking him through the ropes. There was only around 10 seconds left on the clock.
Will 15 months of inactivity play a part? Probably not. Liakhovich, who has switched trainers from Kenny Weldon to Tommy Brooks since the Briggs defeat, was out of the ring for a similar amount of time before he won the WBO strap by beating Lamon Brewster in a thrilling battle back in April 2006. His biggest problem is not the rust that may have built up but the goliath standing in the opposite corner of the ring.
Standing at over seven feet and weighing nearly 23 stone (322 lb), Nikolay “The Beast from the East” Valuev is the proverbial man mountain and he uses his size to his advantage by manhandling his opponents and leaning on them until the tire. That said, the 34 year old Russian is not as bad a boxer as some would have you believe.
Heʼs not fast but he does have a powerful and accurate jab and if Liakhovich stands in range and allows himself to be tattooed, like he did in later rounds against Briggs, then the fight will not last long.
Valuev, 47-1 (34), picked up the WBA belt in December 2005 when won a disputed majority decision over another man known for mauling tactics, John Ruiz. Ruizʼs camp were incensed and demanded a rematch but a return bout never materialised and probably never will.
Valuev made three defences of his trinket against second tier opposition in Owen Beck, Monte Barrett and Jameel McCline (a fight he won when McCline injured his knee) before running into unbeaten Uzbek Ruslan Chagaev.
That evening at Stuttgartʼs Porsche Arena last April, Chagaev, who has a stellar amateur pedigree, proved that bigger isnʼt always better as he moved well and outboxed the champion on way to taking a deserved points decision. The loss shattered the big Russianʼs dream of surpassing Rocky Marcianoʼs 49 fight unbeaten record.
34 year old Valuev has had one fight since that setback. This past September, he outpointed Canadian southpaw Jean-Francois Bergeran – a fighter with a superb record on paper but relatively untested and bringing little threat. Valuev was still far from impressive as he was forced to ship a few clubbing shots before the Canadian tired and allowed him to take control.
Liakhovich, like the giant slayer Chagaev, comes with an extensive if not as polished amateur pedigree. He fought at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games where he collected the Bronze Medal and in 1998, he beat the future 2000 Gold Medal winner Audley Harrison in the European championships.
If he is to have a chance tonight he needs to draw on his amateur experience and follow the blueprint that Ruslan Chagaev put in place by continually moving and looking to get off swift one-twos rather than trading. Easier said than done.
Verdict: I foresee Liakhovich having some success early and maybe even landing some chopping shots to the bigger manʼs body but stamina could play a big factor as the fight progresses. Liakhovich has faded badly down the stretch previously and Valuev is known as man who wears opponents down. Because of this, I predict that Valuev will win either by stoppage in the late rounds or will walk away with a wide decision.
