Nikolai Valuev: "I Am Ready For David Haye's Speed"
Dmitriy Mikhalchuk
Nov. 4, 2009, 5:35 a.m.
%foto2%Two-time and reigning World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Nikolai “The Russian Giant” Valuev isn’t letting constant trash- talking by 3-time world cruiserweight champion David “The Haymaker” Haye get into his head as he makes final preparations for Saturday’s “David vs. Goliath” world title fight being broadcast in North America live on Pay-Per-View from Nuremberg, Germany.
Valuev (50-1, 34 KOs), from St. Petersburg, Russia, is the tallest and heaviest champion in history at an unnerving 7 feet and 325 pounds, who has defeated a trio of heavyweight champions -- Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield, John “The Quietman” Ruiz (twice), and Sergei Liakhovich. With his obvious physical advantages, coupled by invaluable ring experience, Valuev will not be intimidated by Haye’s “smack.”
“He can say what he wants,” Valuev said. “I don’t care about it. I will give my answer in the ring. A lot of opponents have tried to provoke me but nobody has ever succeeded. I don’t care about his statements. Needless to say, I am very confident of success.”
Valuev-Haye is promoted by Wilfried Sauerland’s Sauerland Event and its Managing Director, Christian Meyer, in association with Don King Productions. The broadcast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 3 PM/ET – 12 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN, DISH Network, Viewer’s Choice, Shaw PPV and Bell TV for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. A replay will be shown that same night at 9 PM/ET, 6 PM/PT.
“This is great news,” the WBA champ remarked upon learning his fight will air in North America. “I want to thank my fans in the US and Canada for their support. I hope they will enjoy the fight November 7th.”
Haye, (22-1, 21 KOs), from London, England, has defeated four world cruiserweight champions: Enzo Maccarinelli and Jean Marc Mormeck for unified crowns, Giacobbe Fragomeni (TKO9) for the European title, and “King” Arthur Williams (TKO3). “The Hayemaker” moved up to heavyweight a year ago after leaving the cruiserweight division in ruins as the unified WBA/WBC/WBO cruiserweight champion. He plans to showcase his superior quickness and athleticism against “The Russian Giant.”
“Obviously, he is fast,” Valuev noted. “But I have prepared for his speed. We have prepared well in practice for him and his style. How he stands-up to my punching remains to be seen when we are in the ring. I don’t make predictions but I will defend my title.”
Two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (43-8-1, 29 KOs), the current WBA No. 1 rated and “official challenger,” faces former IBU champion Adnan “Aachen Assassin” Serin (19-10-1, 7 KOs) in the opening live PPV bout on the Valuev-Haye. Additional undercard bouts will also air on the PPV telecast
