An earth-shaking encounter is being lined up in the heavyweight division. WBC champion Vatali Klitschko’s next challenger is going to be a certain Nikolay Valuev.
The gigantic Russian didn’t exactly cover himself in glory when he when he took on David Haye in November of last year. He slowly shifted his body around the ring with the speed of a reversing tug boat while Haye scampered around him like something out of Gulliver’s Travels. He has no movement, no hand speed and not even as much power as you would expect from a man of that colossal size, yet due to the fact the heavyweight division is void of any real talent he’s straight back in line for a world title shot.
It really is a sad indictment of things when a heavyweight world title match has been reduced to a freak show. You think of all the great fighters over history at that level, the Muhammad Ali’s, Mike Tyson’s, Sonny Liston’s and so on, now a guy is fighting for the top prize just because he is huge.
One thing this fight is going to be lacking is a bit of zip, but at least it’s going to be a real slugfest. Klitschko still has that great left jab and he is relentless in his pursuit as his demolition of Kevin Johnson in December proved. There’s no pride in fighting fighters like Johnson and you have to applaud Klitschko for at least not taking on some complete unknown again. Yet you would still expect the Ukrainian to comfortably beat Valuev, keeping him at arm’s length with his jab and outpointing him over the 12 rounds. Valuev’s main form of defence is the fact that many a hand has been broken on his massive head and that about sums him up as a boxer.
Valuev has still yet to be dropped, that’s still his selling point; can anyone chop down the great oak? Had Haye gone after him a bit more he probably would have done it, in their WBA title match-up last year. Haye gave Valuev the run around and though it was one sided, it was also a little bit over cautious by the Hayemaker. He proved by wobbling the colossal Russian near the end that he could have taken him down. “Dr Ironfist” could offer that knock out, he’ll be keen to show the world he can do something Haye couldn’t as their rivalry continues to bubble under the surface.
This fight has been pencilled in for May 29th, but it’s hit a snag because Valuev’s promoter Don King, is demanding a huge payday for his fighter and more likely himself. Why anyone is still signing with King I don’t know.
After this fight there has to be a unification match on the cards, one of the Klitschko’s have to fight Haye, providing of course he comes through victorious against John Ruiz. Having been let down with the Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather super-fight, boxing fans deserve to see a big match not disrupted by politics.
In terms of bizarre sights though watching 6ft 7.5nch and 18-stone Klitschko go up against 7ft 1inch 23-stone Valuev will do for now. If this fight takes place make sure to glue down all your household objects, reinforce your windows and nail down your furniture, because if one of these two hits the deck the whole world is going to feel the shockwaves.
Then hopefully we can get down to some proper boxing.
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