Nikolay Valuev, the 7'2", 328 lb Russian Giant outpointed Serguei Lyakhovich on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at the Nuernberg Arena in Nuremberg, Germany. Valuev landed 59% of the punches to Lyakhovich 28%. The WBA had ordered the elimination bout between Valuev and Lyakhovich to determine who would fight WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev. Valuev had just beat 6'5", 229 lb Canadian Jean-Francois Bergeron by a 12-round unanimous decision on September 29, 2007 in Germany. Valuev had lost his WBA heavyweight title to Ruslan Chagaev by a 12-round majority decision on April 14, 2007. Prior to his loss Valuev fought Jameel McCline on January 20, 2007 in Switzerland. Valuez won the fight by a 3rd round TKO because McCline torn a tendon in his knee at the end of round three and was unable to continue.
| Fight | Location | Date | Boxing Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuev vs TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Nikolay "Beast From The East" Valuev
Nikolay Valuev aka "The Beast from the East" now prefers to be called "The Russian Giant" is the first Russian heavyweight champion to hold the WBA heavyweight title. On December 17, 2005 at Max Schmeling Halle in Berlin, Germany he took the title from John Ruiz by a 12 round MD. Ruiz looked like a midget next to Valuev who stands 7 feet tall and weights 324 pounds. Valuev is the tallest and the heaviest heavyweight world title holder in history. In order to win boxers who fight Valuev must be able get on the inside while avoiding his trademark slow knockout punches.
Valuev successfully defended his new WBA heavyweight title for the first time on June 3, 2006 in Hannover, Germany destroying his opponent Owen Beck by a 3rd round KO. Beck was down in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
Valuev defended his heavyweight title successfully for the second time on October 7, 2006 by knocking Monte Barrett down once in the 8th round and twice in the 11th round. Barrett's trainer jumped into the ring to force the stoppage.