The Saturday fight will be Valuev’s first title defense in the United States and his third bout in the country.
Photo: AP
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Nikolay Valuev Ready for the Bout
Russia’s WBA Heavyweight Champion Nikolay Valuev is to face U.S. Monte Barrett in his first title defense in the United States in Rosemont on Saturday.
The United States dominated prize boxing throughout the 20th century. But recent years have given away all four heavyweight belts to boxers born in the USSR – Russian Oleg Maskaev and Nikolay Valuev, Ukraine’s Vladimir Klitschko and Belarusian Sergey Lyakhovich. America is eager to regain at least one of these titles on the home ground outside Chicago.
The Saturday fight will be Valuev’s first title defense in the United States and his third bout in the country. He won the belt from John Ruiz in Berlin last December and stopped Jamaican challenger Owen Beck in Hanover, Germany, in June.
Valuev, the largest heavyweight champion in history, mesmerized the Americans with his height and weight. 7-feet Russia towered above the 6-feet-3 Monte Barret. The Russian has won 44 bouts of 44, not very far from the record of Rocky Marcia, the only undefeated champion with 50 wins.
Valuev surprised the Americans with his unassuming and even shy personality. Instead of the usual boxing threats to destroy the opponent, the Russian spoke about his family and importance of the fight for him.
“I am not a very good speaker. I just want to invite you all on October 7 for something special. I’ve fought 44 times and I always go back home a winner,” the Russian said.
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All the Article in Russian as of Oct. 07, 2006
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