Well I enjoyed the Valuev - Etienne fight even if it wasn't very long. Valuev doesn't have much handspeed which is hardly unexpected given his size, and that's why he doesn't have great knockout power. His opponents can see the punches coming and can roll with them or get out of the way. Even so, his strength is enough to knock out most heavyweights. Valuev is quite disciplined in the ring, maybe more than he needs to be. I wonder what would happen if he stood toe to toe with a big puncher like Samuel Peter. Valuev's defence isn't great other than because of his size and jab, but he's not stationary. He can move backwards to avoid an onrushing man.

Honestly I'll bet that Valuev's manager (and promoter Don King) has a lot to say about who he fights. I can't believe that Valuev is "chicken" and wants all easy targets. He's not that young anymore and probably wants to fight the best guys around as long as there's a little money to be made.

Owen Beck, however, should be an easy fight for Valuev. If he wins then there will be a big clamor for Valuev to fight another belt holder. I bet that we see such a fight in the early part of 2007.