Chagaev Dethrones Valuev!
Sunday April 15, 2007
In a close, competitive - yet still dull - bout, Ruslan Chagaev (23-0-1) was awarded a majority decision over previously undefeated Nikolay Valuev (46-1) to take the WBA heavyweight title. The seven-foot Valuev moved forward for all 12 rounds but was rarely effective and never had Chagaev in any trouble. Chagaev, despite giving up 11 inches and 90 pounds, used his southpaw to land straight lefts and Valuev never made any adjustments to get out of the way. One judge saw the fight as a draw (114-11) but the other two ruled in favor of Chagaev (117-111 and 115-113).
Chagaev's nickname is the "The White Tyson". He's white, but he's no Tyson ... just another above average heavyweight who's fortunate to be fighting in an era with more title belts than outstanding fighters. The silver lining in Valuev's loss is that fight fans will no longer have to tolerate any ridiculous talk of Valuev threatening Rocky Marciano's record of 49-0.
Comments
Couldn’t get a decision over one of his own could he? Marciano’s record lives on! Crooked judge former ref votes a draw.
I agree, hard to believe they couldn’t get it together enough to give him the edge. Is it possible there is some possibility of redemption for boxing… perhaps even for Russia?
Close, Competitive and Dull. Glad to see someone else was watching the same fight I was. I think a draw would have been appropriate, based on the lack of initiative from both fighters.