Chagaev out for July 5 rematch with Valuev

by Scott Christ on Jun 27, 2008 1:25 AM EDT

WBA heavyweight titlist Ruslan Chagaev has been forced to pull out of a July 5 rematch with the man he beat for the title, 7-footer Nikolai Valuev, as a result of a nasty injury suffered in training.

The 29-year old Chagaev (24-0-1, 17 KO) suffered a complete tear of his left Achilles tendon and is scheduled for surgery on Monday. It's the third time since he claimed the belt in April 2007 that Chagaev has had to pull out of a scheduled bout, and the second time a rematch with Valuev has been called off. Chagaev has fought just once since the win over the giant, beating England's Matt Skelton in January.

Valuev's co-promoter, Don King, had this to say:

"How many times is this dude going to pull out of a fight," King said. "He doesn't really want to fight the giant (Valuev) again. Valuev has trained for this fight twice. I want to see if the WBA will allow him to fight for the interim title immediately."

Frankly, King is right to demand an interim title fight for his guy. The injury is no joke; it's not like Chagaev can fight with a torn Achilles tendon, even though the prognosis is relatively positive. But this is the second time Chagaev has had to cancel. Valuev has earned his shot; he should get a shot.

The fight was to main event the July 5 show in Germany, but now the main event will be the WBA middleweight title rematch between Felix Sturm and Randy Griffin, who fought to a pretty exciting draw last year.

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Comments

This fight deperately needs to happen

I really want to see this fight and I can’t stress really enough. This heavyweight fight is going to be huge I really can’t wait. Did I forget to write really. This is a must see because Heavyweights are so hot right now. God help us all.

I aways tell the truth. Even when I lie.

by CRAZEDANG1280 on Jun 27, 2008 9:36 AM EDT reply actions

Lennox Lewis, please come back man

GREAT CAESAR’S GHOST I HATE THE HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION! Chageav should have been stripped a long time ago. Now the Quiet Man will fight Valuev in Germany, with a 16mm filmstrip to be released sometime next June. Lord knows I can’t stand Ruiz, and the idea of an 8-ft tall safety first fighter makes me want to puke. A leech with legs versus a shaved Chewbacca, in a champisonship rematch that no one will watch or care about. Yep, that about sums up the 21st century Heavyweight Division for me.

by jrok on Jun 29, 2008 1:12 AM EDT reply actions

I'm actually rooting for Ruiz

Love him or hate him, he’ll fight anyone. Well, OK…sometimes “fight” is too strong a word.

"Yesterday I was lying, today I am telling the truth." -- Bob Arum

Camden Chat
Bad Left Hook

by Scott Christ on Jun 29, 2008 4:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Ohhhhh Scott has fighting words. haha

I aways tell the truth. Even when I lie.

by CRAZEDANG1280 on Jun 29, 2008 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Ruiz

Matt, I hear you, but that’s only because he is the beneficiary of some really bizzare manuevering, ranking, and circumstance, like becoming a mandatory for beating Tisdale and Mcline(!). RJJ beats Ruiz in 2003 and then Ruiz gets it back for beating Oquendo? Ruiz keeps a title by hugging onto the Foul Pole for dear life, and for getting his ass kicked by Toney. Ruiz might be the only reigning heavyweight in history to get dropped by HBO for his abysmal style. And the only top heavy with a styleless fun to watch? Valuev. These are dark, dark days for fans of the big men.

by jrok on Jun 29, 2008 1:29 PM EDT reply actions