Boxing Perspective: Nicolai Valuev – Champion In Name Only?

Nicolai Valuev recently lost his WBA heavyweight title to the tenacious Ruslan Chagaev in an entertaining scrap held in Stuttgart, Germany. That strange sound you heard immediately following the fight was the collective sigh of relief from countless boxing fans. The 49-0 mark set by the great Rocky Marciano was safe once more.

Marciano’s record is just what we call it: Marciano’s record. It belongs to Marciano and him alone. Had Valuev managed to tie the 49-0 mark or even if he had surpassed it, the memory and significance of the Brockton Bomber’s accomplishment would not have been dulled or tarnished.

Besides, Marciano retired with the unblemished record and there is no proof that Valuev would have retired having reached that benchmark. The fact of the matter is that Valuev suffered the same fate that Icarus of Greek lore encountered: he simply flew too close to the sun.

So where the Russian giant goes from here seems to be the million dollar question. Here in America, Valuev’s reception was tepid at best. His much ballyhooed HBO debut against Monte Barrett was watched more so for our morbid curiosity then for the value of the actual fight itself.

How could we not tune in? Don King banged the drum for the “Beast from the East” with eerie parallels to the classic King Kong fable. American fight fans were intrigued with the idea of a 7 foot giant with concussive power, one who was cutting a path of in ring destruction out in Europe.

The all too sad realization was that the leaked stories were far more interesting than the actual fighter. It should be noted that regardless of what Americans may think of Valuev, he does enjoy a degree of celebrity in his home of Russia as well as in Germany. It would appear that his road back to the championship would be paved east of the pond.

I am in no way implying that Valuev had no right to be the WBA champion. His mangers moved him in a way that all but guaranteed that one day he would enjoy a sanctioning body’s belt around his massive waist.

Valuev’s goal was achieved after his promoters, in essence, sold their soul to Don King in exchange for the sacrificing of his Puerto Rican heavyweight champion John Ruiz. Most who were unfortunate enough to watch this dreadful fight say that it could have gone either way, with both combatants doing little more than the “jab and grab” two step. I am not saying Ruiz was robbed but I could see it going to the “Quiet man” if the fight had not been held in Germany.

Valuev should be applauded for capitalizing on his unique genetic gifts. At 7’0 and over 300 odd pounds his intimidating stature serves him well. It’s a shame that you can time his punches with a sun dial and his footwork is reminiscent of a three toe sloth with a broken ankle. Any heavyweight with lateral movement would give this man fits and it took a fighter like Chagaev to capitalize on Valuev’s shortcomings.

So it is with little doubt that Nicolai Valuev will be back on the boxing scene. His manager and promoter have already reassured us that this indeed will happen. So how does Valuev recapture a title?

By letting his management team once again position him into a mandatory slot and then praying that it’s not Klitschko or Peter (who we all know will emerge victorious over Maskaev, don’t kid yourself). So you ask yourself, what about the shortcomings Valuev possesses? Well not much can be done to increase his speed, but I would get him some sparring experience with southpaws ASAP.

Chagaev left the Russian giant befuddled with his lefty stance and fleet footwork. Valuev would be well served to get back in the gym and immediately work on wearing down opponents that do more than stand in front of him.

Chagaev laid out the blueprint to succeed against Valuev and the onus is now on the Beast from the East to make sure that no one else exploits his flaws.

Will Valuev be champion once again? I think so. King and Wilfried Sauerland will make sure he is positioned against the weaker belt holders and if he actively tries to improve his technique and ring generalship, we could see Valuev raise his hand as champion once more.