Chagaev returns February 7th !!!!!

Unbeaten WBA heavyweight champion in recess Ruslan Chagaev (24-0-1, 17 KOs) will return on February 7th to face undefeated Carl Davis Drumond (26-0, 20 KOs) At the Stadthalle in Rostock, Germany. It will be Chagaev's first fight back following an Achilles tendon injury that required surgery and a lengthy rehab. Against the #9 rated Drummond, Chagaev wants to put his form and ring-sense to the test before the upcoming duel against the 'Russian Giant' Nikolai Valuev. "Ruslan Chagaev is the man in the heavyweight for the year 2009," stated Universum promoter Klaus-Peter Kohl. "After he had so many bad breaks health-wise last year, he will defeat Valuev for the second time and again show what a great boxer he is. Ruslan owns the future, because he is as a world champion barely 30 years old, the most complete heavyweight and as a southpaw is very difficult to box."Ten days before his highly anticipated second fight against the seven-foot Valuev in early July, Chagaev had to pull out due to a Achilles tendon tear in the left foot. The WBA has stipulated that Chagaev must face Valuev no later than June 26th. Chagaev says after his fight against the "interim champion" Valuev, he will continue his goal to capture all four championship belts to become the undisputed champion.


source: fightnews.com

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Hopefully Chagaev stays injury- and illness-free...and kick some asses in the HW division...I have high hopes...IMO Chagaev is the perfect package good skill,power speed and chin,he can box and brawl...I like him...;)

I've never heard of this guy Drumond but if Ruslan returns to his championship form he'll have no trouble beating him. I also think he'll beat Valuev again in a rematch ;)

Interesting match up....it's taken Drumond a long time to step up, that's a bad sign for his chances