Chagaev to Replace Haye in June

[BoomBoom]

Im going to go against the grain here and pick Chagaev to upset Wlad. I think he will pressure Wlad and fight a very determined fight. He is well rested and should have plenty of energy for this one. Plus any undefeated fighter still has that winners mentality and a belief that nobody can beat him. I see both guys getting rocked but Wlad being too cautious and letting Chagaev off the hook. I think Wlad will be a little careless late in the fight and Chagaev will be all over him and get the stoppage around 11.

[bzkfn]

Wlad is such a poof being unable to accept Haye delaying. Maybe that's just me, but the guy seems like a complete poof.

I would agree, but Haye's doctors have said he can't fight till July 25th, and German TV doesn't have that date free. I just read they're going to try and agree to fight Haye in September, so it's all gravy.

[bzkfn]

Wlad was lucky to have this happen, had the Valuev-Chagaev fight gone through his next options would have been #1 Wait for Haye to heal up (July 25th not the 11th as was first speculated) #2 Fight Alexander Dimitrenko or Eddie Chambers who were already in line and he would have to wait for that fight too as they are probably in the midst of trainign camps right now.

The fight with Chagaev IS very relevant, it has a lot of meaning and I hope Wlad just smashes the guy and either a fight with Haye happens later this fall or Valuev later this fall and either way the heavyweight division could have exciting and meaningful fights this year!

Agreed that Chagaev is extremely relevent, but its unlikely he takes on anyone but Povetkin in the fall IMO, as that mandatory is due in September, and him and Vitali want to hold all the belts between them.

Are you saying that Haye will actually have to work up some sort of ranking system?

He may have no choice, but I don't think he'll get much credit for beating anyone in this division without a belt.

[OumaFan]

I don't think Chagaev can win, I'd maybe actually pick Chagaev to beat Haye but i think Haye has a far better chance of beating Wlad

Funny for how much Haye's been ridiculed they pick the KING of the pull out to replace him.

[Drago]

haye is only reason i had any interest again in the heavys, now haye wlad fight is off i dont really care abt heavys again! understand why wlad taking the june 20th date still as it makes sense but i pretty much dont care abymore

fk the heavyweight scene

[jon09]

This is the most meaningful fight right now in the heavies. Plus this is going to crown a legitimate heavyweight champion with the Ring magazine title up for grabs, for what its worth. I think it will be a boring fight with Vlad winning a decision much the way he did against Sultan. In the mean time why not have Haye vs Povetkin for a legitimate contender match?

[Spicoli]

This did pan out in a pretty good match I believe.Maybe now we can do away with the WBAs 'Champion in recess' non sense one way or another.Glas Wlad moved forward.The Heavys are stagnant enough and need to sort it out.

Stylistically,I think its Wlads to loos here.Going from Haye to Chagaev is a big jump in terms of speed and one shot power.Will most likely keep that jab on him.Chagaev is solid.Could bull is way in with Wlad lowering hands,punching down..he has a legit shot but dont think it will happen.

[fila907]

DO i think Hayes is hurt ?..NO.Do i think he should of pulled out of the fight?...YEAH..Good decision on Hayes part.I dont know why he put himself in that postion anyway..

[Kel]

Should have been Valuev in my opinion as a replacement,but I believe they were right not to just postpone the Haye fight and try again in a few weeks!! He could have broken down again and Wlad would have ended up with nothing!

I respect your opinion but why have Valuev when you can have his conqueror. Besides Valuev should have lost the WBA title to Holyfield so he's damaged goods all the way around in my eyes. Just my thoughts.

Do you not want to see this freak show put to sleep once and for all? I know I been wanting it for years.

[Lance Uppercut]

Wlad offered the fight to Valuev first....who of course ran away from the offer.

Chagaev is more experienced than Arreola or Povetkin...he's held a title, he's beaten some decent competition. Arreola was offered the fight as well but he wasn't in camp soobviously it would have been too short of notice for him.

Haye, Povetkin, and Solis need more fights, they can be very good if they stay fit and train hard.

It should also be pointed out that it was unlikely any top opponent would take a big world title fight at such short notice. Its lucky that Chagaev has been in training for a fight already, and because he was shafted by Valuev last week, Wlad has given him the chance. Honestly cannot believe so many people have sided with Valuev on it when facts came out that the risk of infection was close to 0.

I am one of the people who incorrectly blamed Chagaev for last weeks fight not happening. However, ever since Klitschko publicly stated that after an inoculation, a fight with Chagaev would be completely safe, and with Valuev turning down Klitschko ( despite the fact that he was trained and ready to go), I think it is clear that Valuev is a wus, and will take cowardly measures to hold on to his paper title from the worlds most corrupt and least respected alphabet gang.

[Spicoli]

So where does Valuev go from here ? I would settle on 'away' .I hate to ask and really dont want to see it.....but does anyone think he rematches Holyfield .Who was set to be ringside if Im not mistaken

[Mr140]

I know i means nothing but i really like to see Holyfeild win and belt and say hes a champ again then go off into the sunset and stop fighting already.

[gest12645]

A fight against Valuev or Haye would be better but Chagaev is also good and props for both fighters for taking this fight. Honestly , if Ibragimov was active , he would beat Chagaev, similar styles , both southpaws , but Ibragimov had better defence. Chagaev will either get kod near the end or will lose a decision. wow i wish somebody would ko valuev but getting chagaev out of the picture is cool too . Nothing against the guy , just he's bad for the heavyweights. Scre Ruiz, Valuev, Chagaev and the Wba . Hope Klitschko wins and my man Golota comes back to Ko him

[Kel]

I know i means nothing but i really like to see Holyfeild win and belt and say hes a champ again then go off into the sunset and stop fighting already.

I thought he beat Valuev. Maybe he would be retired already if they gave him it.

[jon09]

So where does Valuev go from here ? I would settle on 'away' .I hate to ask and really dont want to see it.....but does anyone think he rematches Holyfield .Who was set to be ringside if Im not mistaken

I think Haye vs Valuev would be interesting. Haye should have called him out before he called either 1 of the Klitsckos.