Nikolai Valuev
Nikolay Valuev Никола́й Валу́ев | |
---|---|
Valuev in 2009 | |
Statistics | |
Real name | Nikolai Sergeyevich Valuev |
Nickname(s) |
|
Rated at | Heavyweight |
Height | 2.13 m (7 ft 0 in) |
Reach | 216 cm (85 in) |
Nationality | Russian |
Born |
Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union (now Russia) | 21 August 1973
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 53 |
Wins | 50 |
Wins by KO | 34 |
Losses | 2 |
No contests | 1 |
Nikolai Sergeyevich Valuev (Russian: Никола́й Серге́евич Валу́ев; born 21 August 1973) is a Russian former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2009. He is a two-time WBA heavyweight champion, having first won the title from John Ruiz in 2005 and losing it to Ruslan Chagaev in 2007. The following year, Valuev regained the now-vacant title in a rematch against Ruiz, losing to David Haye in 2009 in his final fight.
Standing at 2.13 metres (7.0 ft) and a peak weight of 149 kilograms (328 lb), Valuev is best known for being the tallest and heaviest heavyweight champion in boxing history.[1]
Biography
Valuev was born on 21 August 1973, in Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union (now St. Petersburg, Russia).[2]
He has three young children, daughter Irina and son Grisha (Grigoriy), his third child, son Sergei, was born on 30 July 2012. In his professional boxing career Valuev has been defeated only twice by Ruslan Chagaev and David Haye.
Valuev is a Russian Orthodox Christian.[3] During his youth he played water polo and basketball.
Valuev has written a book in Russian called My 12 Rounds, with the help of prominent Russian sports journalist Konstantin Osipov.[4] The book discusses his life in general and his boxing career in particular. For that book, Valuev received an award from the government of St. Petersburg.[5] The book was presented in St. Petersburg on 5 February 2007.
In January 2006 Valuev was accused of assaulting a security guard at the Spartak Ice Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia. No criminal investigation was ever launched by local police.[6][7]
Boxing career
First reign as WBA champion
In 2005, Valuev squared off with WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz, and won a twelve-round majority-decision, becoming both the tallest (2.13 m or 7 ft) and heaviest (323 lbs) champion in boxing history.[8] In his first defense he defeated challenger Owen Beck (25–3, 18 KOs) by a third-round technical knockout in Hannover, Germany. In October 2006, Valuev fought Monte Barrett and defeated him with a technical knockout in the 11th round. In January 2007, Valuev fought Jameel McCline (38–6–3, 23 KOs) in St. Jakobshalle, Basel, Switzerland. Valuev won the match, successfully defending his title, after McCline was not able to continue the bout after injuring his knee when throwing a punch near the end of the 3rd round.
Loss of WBA title to Chagaev
The title defense was held on 14 April 2007. Chagaev defeated Valuev by a majority decision (117–111, 115–113 and 114–114).
Valuev changed trainers, from Manuel Gabrielian to Alexander Zimin, who coached the old Soviet Union amateur boxing team.
On 29 September 2007, Valuev won against Jean-Francois Bergeron in Oldenburg, Germany, by a 12-round unanimous decision (118–111 on all three cards).[9]
Second reign as WBA champion
Valuev vs. Liakhovich
On 16 February 2008, in a title eliminator, Valuev defeated former titleholder Sergei Liakhovich from Belarus, winning every round at the Nuremberg Arena in Germany.[10] The victory earned Valuev the right to face Chagaev for the WBA title again, the only man who had defeated him in his boxing career. He was scheduled to face Chagaev for his WBA title on 5 July 2008, but Chagaev pulled out with an injury. Valuev instead fought John Ruiz for the vacant title on 30 August 2008 and the WBA decided to make Chagaev "Champion In Recess". Valuev defeated Ruiz by unanimous decision to regain the WBA heavyweight championship, with Valuev and Chagaev set to fight no later than 26 June 2009 to determine whom the WBA regarded as their champion.[11] Their scheduled rematch on 30 May 2009 was cancelled due to Chagaev's viral infection and on 24 July 2009, when the WBA published their Official Ratings as of June 2009, Chagaev was no longer the "Champion In Recess" but the No. 1 challenger instead.
Valuev vs. Holyfield
Valuev's first title defense of his second reign as WBA Champion was against the 46-year-old, four-time heavyweight champion of the world, Evander Holyfield, on 20 December 2008. Before the match, Valuev weighed 310.8 pounds (141 kg), nearly 100 pounds heavier than Holyfield at 214.3 pounds (97 kg).[12] After a rather uneventful match with no knockdowns and few punches thrown by either fighter, Valuev won a widely disputed majority decision.[13][14] In response to the controversial result The WBA announced plans to investigate the decision.[15]
Loss of WBA title to Haye
In his second defense on 7 November 2009, billed as 'David vs. Goliath' Valuev faced off against former unified and lineal cruiserweight champion David Haye (22-1, 21 KOs) at the Arena Nürnberger Versicherung in Nuremberg. Valuev lost on points (114–114, 116–112, 116–112).[16]
Retirement from boxing and health problems
Valuev announced his retirement from boxing in a Russian newspaper three days after the loss to Haye on 10 November 2009.
In 2010, Valuev's doctor went on record saying that he is treating Valuev for "serious bone and joint problems".[17] Valuev underwent two operations that required at least six months on the sidelines.
Valuev confirmed in 2013 that medical advice was one of the reasons he is not planning to make a comeback in boxing.[18]
Acting career and advertising
Valuev's first role in a film was a cameo appearance in the German film 7 Zwerge – Der Wald ist nicht genug in 2006.[19] In 2008 Valuev played the main role in the film Stonehead by Philip Yankovskiy, playing an ex-boxer who lost his memory.[20] The film took the main prize at the film festival "Window to Europe".[21] After the success of Stonehead, it was announced Valuev is being filmed in two new films at the same time.[22]
Nikolai Valuev has participated in several photo and video advertisements of various products and services. In November 2009 he signed a promotional contract with a German sausage manufacturer, making Valuev the face of the company's advertisement campaign for five years. Nikolai Valuev is also planning to open a family restaurant in Germany. In August 2010, Valuev signed a promotional contract with the Pokerstars poker portal.
Valuev's distinctive appearance and fame have occasionally attracted the use of his images in advertising without his permission. In particular, a Penza-located theatre, which for some time before a movie showing had an ad where Nikolai Valuev acts as a man who punishes the audience disturbing others. Nikolai Valuev, upon learning about this, sued the theatre for damages amounting to 2 million rubles. In 2011, Nikolai Valuev is involved in the advertising power of "Interskol" as well as in advertising MTS.
Political career
In December 2011 Russian parliamentary election he became a member of Duma through the United Russia Party. On 17 December 2012, Valuev supported[23] the law in the Russian Parliament banning adoption of Russian orphans by citizens of the US.
Involvement in other sports
In 2011, Valuev became the General Manager of Russia national bandy team and he also has as a task to develop the so-called Russian hockey in the country.[24][25] He is also the Vice-President of the All Russian Bandy Federation[26] Bandy is considered a national sport in Russia.[27]
Nikolai Valuev Boxing School
In 2009, Nikolai Valuev, together with a group of coaches, created "Nikolay Valuev Boxing School" with offices in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Oblast. The school is based on three types of age groups: pupils (school terms 3-5), students (terms 6-8) and adults. School pupils participate and compete in various boxing matches, including the "Valuev Cup" youth boxing tournament, which became a regular competition in St. Petersburg.[28]
Valuev Youth Sports Foundation
The Valuev Foundation was opened on 13 September 2010. The fund was established to promote regular physical exercise among young people to enable children of different social backgrounds play sports, to further their education and strengthen the principles of sport, as well as spread the ideals of sports into other areas.
Filmography
- 2001 - The town, Issue № 89
- 2003 - Playing without rules - cameo
- 2006 - 7 Zwerge – Der Wald ist nicht genug - cameo
- 2008 - Rock Head - Yegor Golovin "Rock Head"
- 2009 - Path - a prisoner nicknamed "The Beast"
- 2009 - Fight without rules - Nicholas Shafts
- 2011 - Antique Watches - cameo
- 2013 - Bigfoot Files - Himself
Professional boxing record
Professional record summary | ||
53 fights | 50 wins | 2 losses |
By knockout | 34 | 0 |
By decision | 15 | 2 |
By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
No contests | 1 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
53 | Loss | 50–2 (1) | David Haye | MD | 12 | 7 Nov 2009 | Nuremberg Arena, Nuremberg, Germany | Lost WBA heavyweight title |
52 | Win | 50–1 (1) | Evander Holyfield | MD | 12 | 20 Dec 2008 | Hallenstadion, Zürich, Switzerland | Retained WBA heavyweight title |
51 | Win | 49–1 (1) | John Ruiz | UD | 12 | 30 Aug 2008 | Max-Schmeling-Halle, Berlin, Germany | Won vacant WBA heavyweight title |
50 | Win | 48–1 (1) | Siarhei Liakhovich | UD | 12 | 16 Feb 2008 | Nuremberg Arena, Nuremberg, Germany | |
49 | Win | 47–1 (1) | Jean Francois Bergeron | UD | 12 | 29 Sep 2007 | Small EWE Arena, Oldenburg, Germany | Won WBA–NABA heavyweight title |
48 | Loss | 46–1 (1) | Ruslan Chagaev | MD | 12 | 14 Apr 2007 | Porsche-Arena, Stuttgart, Germany | Lost WBA heavyweight title |
47 | Win | 46–0 (1) | Jameel McCline | RTD | 3 (12), 3:00 | 20 Jan 2007 | St. Jakobshalle, Basel, Switzerland | Retained WBA heavyweight title |
46 | Win | 45–0 (1) | Monte Barrett | TKO | 11 (12), 2:12 | 7 Oct 2006 | Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Illinois, US | Retained WBA heavyweight title |
45 | Win | 44–0 (1) | Owen Beck | TKO | 3 (12), 2:44 | 3 Jun 2006 | TUI Arena, Hanover, Germany | Retained WBA heavyweight title |
44 | Win | 43–0 (1) | John Ruiz | MD | 12 | 17 Dec 2005 | Max-Schmeling-Halle, Berlin, Germany | Won WBA heavyweight title |
43 | Win | 42–0 (1) | Larry Donald | MD | 12 | 1 Oct 2005 | Small EWE Arena, Oldenburg, Germany | Retained WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title |
42 | Win | 41–0 (1) | Clifford Etienne | KO | 3 (12) | 14 May 2005 | Oberfrankenhalle, Bayreuth, Germany | Retained WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title |
41 | Win | 40–0 (1) | Attila Levin | TKO | 3 (12), 2:34 | 12 Feb 2005 | Max-Schmeling-Halle, Berlin, Germany | Retained WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title |
40 | Win | 39–0 (1) | Gerald Nobles | DQ | 4 (12), 0:42 | 20 Nov 2004 | BigBox, Kempten, Germany | Retained WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title; Nobles disqualified for repeated holding |
39 | Win | 38–0 (1) | Paolo Vidoz | TKO | 9 (12), 2:33 | 9 Oct 2004 | Messe, Erfurt, Germany | Won vacant WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title |
38 | Win | 37–0 (1) | Richard Igbineghu | TKO | 6 (10), 1:50 | 24 Jul 2004 | Brandenburg-Halle, Frankfurt, Germany | Won vacant WBA Inter-Continental interim heavyweight title |
37 | Win | 36–0 (1) | Marcelo Domínguez | UD | 8 | 17 Apr 2004 | Max-Schmeling-Halle, Berlin, Germany | |
36 | Win | 35–0 (1) | Dicky Ryan | TKO | 1 (10), 2:43 | 28 Feb 2004 | Mehrzweckhalle, Dresden, Germany | |
35 | Win | 34–0 (1) | Otis Tisdale | KO | 1 (8) | 4 Oct 2003 | Stadthalle, Zwickau, Germany | |
34 | Win | 33–0 (1) | Bob Mirovic | UD | 8 | 16 Aug 2003 | Nürburgring, Nürburg, Germany | |
33 | Win | 32–0 (1) | Vitali Shkraba | TKO | 4 (10) | 18 Jul 2003 | State Circus, Minsk, Belarus | |
32 | Win | 31–0 (1) | Pedro Daniel Franco | UD | 12 | 15 Mar 2003 | Yubileyny Sports Palace, Saint Petersburg, Russia | Retained PABA heavyweight title |
31 | Win | 30–0 (1) | Kostiantyn Pryziuk | RTD | 3 (10), 3:00 | 10 Oct 2002 | Casino Conti Giant Hall, Saint Petersburg, Russia | Retained Russian heavyweight title |
30 | Win | 29–0 (1) | Taras Bidenko | UD | 12 | 21 Jul 2002 | Seoul, South Korea | Retained PABA heavyweight title |
29 | Win | 28–0 (1) | Yaroslav Zavorotnyi | TKO | 3 (10) | 15 Jun 2002 | Druzhba Arena, Donetsk Ukraine | |
28 | Win | 27–0 (1) | Toakipa Tasefa | UD | 12 | 28 Sep 2001 | Yubileyny Sports Palace, Saint Petersburg, Russia | Retained PABA heavyweight title |
27 | Win | 26–0 (1) | George Linberger | TKO | 1 (12), 1:20 | 30 Jun 2001 | Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US | Won vacant PABA heavyweight title |
26 | Win | 25–0 (1) | Vitali Shkraba | TKO | 4 (8) | 6 Mar 2001 | Arena CSKA, Moscow, Russia | |
25 | Win | 24–0 (1) | Tone Fiso | TKO | 1 (12) | 29 Oct 2000 | Yubileyny Sports Palace, Saint Petersburg, Russia | Retained PABA interim heavyweight title |
24 | Win | 23–0 (1) | Yuriy Yelistratov | UD | 12 | 6 Jun 2000 | Yubileyny Sports Palace, Saint Petersburg, Russia | Won vacant PABA interim heavyweight title |
23 | Win | 22–0 (1) | Yuri Nikolaev | TKO | 2 (6) | 10 Mar 2000 | Novosibirsk, Russia | |
22 | Win | 21–0 (1) | Aleksei Varakin | KO | 1 (12), 1:30 | 15 Dec 1999 | State Circus, Saint Petersburg, Russia | Retained Russian heavyweight title |
21 | Win | 20–0 (1) | James McQueen | KO | 1 (6) | 25 Jun 1999 | Prague, Czech Republic | |
20 | NC | 19–0 (1) | Andreas Sidon | NC | 6 | 7 May 1999 | Prague, Czech Republic | NC after the referee left the ring before the end of the fight |
19 | Win | 19–0 | John Tupou | TKO | 4 (6), 1:16 | 13 Feb 1999 | Ariake Colosseum, Tokyo, Japan | |
18 | Win | 18–0 | Aleksei Osokin | TKO | 6 (10) | 22 Jan 1999 | Casino Conti Giant Hall, Saint Petersburg, Russia | Won vacant Russia heavyweight title |
17 | Win | 17–0 | Evgeny Odolsky | KO | 1 (6) | 19 Dec 1998 | Tundra Bar, Saint Petersburg, Russia | |
16 | Win | 16–0 | James Gaines | UD | 6 | 9 Jun 1998 | State Circus, Moscow, Russia | |
15 | Win | 15–0 | Jim Huffman | TKO | 2 (6), 0:37 | 14 Mar 1998 | Olympic Stadium, Moscow, Russia | |
14 | Win | 14–0 | Sinclair Babb | TKO | 1 (6), 2:50 | 6 Dec 1997 | Stockland Stadium, Townsville, Australia | |
13 | Win | 13–0 | Alarim Uysal | TKO | 2 | 8 Nov 1997 | Ballsporthalle, Frankfurt, Germany | |
12 | Win | 12–0 | Kevin Rosier | KO | 1 | 27 Sep 1997 | State Circus, Moscow, Russia | |
11 | Win | 11–0 | Aug Tanuvasa | TKO | 1 (6), 2:44 | 21 Aug 1997 | Bankstown RSL Club, Sydney, Australia | |
10 | Win | 10–0 | Rodney Harris | PTS | 4 | 26 Jul 1997 | Yokohama Arena, Yokohama, Japan | |
9 | Win | 9–0 | Terrell Nelson | TKO | 2 (4), 1:26 | 31 May 1997 | Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US | |
8 | Win | 8–0 | Manao Navuilawa | TKO | 1 (4), 1:24 | 9 May 1997 | Bankstown Sports Club, Sydney, Australia | |
7 | Win | 7–0 | Patrick Slade | TKO | 1 (4), 1:59 | 21 Mar 1997 | Parramatta RSL Club, Sydney, Australia | |
6 | Win | 6–0 | Darren Fearn | RTD | 1 (6), 3:00 | 26 Nov 1996 | York Hall, London, England | |
5 | Win | 5–0 | Neil Kirkwood | TKO | 2 (4) | 8 Oct 1996 | Battersea Town Hall, London, England | |
4 | Win | 4–0 | Sergei Anikeev | KO | 2 (4) | 16 Feb 1995 | State Circus, Saint Petersburg, Russia | |
3 | Win | 3–0 | Aleksei Tsygankov | KO | 3 (4) | 15 Apr 1994 | State Circus, Saint Petersburg, Russia | |
2 | Win | 2–0 | Aleksandr Vasiliev | PTS | 4 | 22 Feb 1994 | State Circus, Saint Petersburg, Russia | |
1 | Win | 1–0 | John Morton | TKO | 2 (4) | 15 Oct 1993 | Sporthalle, Schöneberg, Germany | Professional debut |
Titles in boxing
Regional titles | ||
---|---|---|
Vacant Title last held by Nikolay Kulpin |
Russia heavyweight champion 22 January 1999 – June 2000 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Alexey Osokin |
Vacant Title last held by Justin Fortune |
PABA heavyweight champion Interim title 6 June 2000 – 30 June 2001 Won full title |
Vacant Title next held by Taras Bidenko |
Vacant Title last held by Kirk Johnson |
PABA heavyweight champion 30 June 2001 – July 2004 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Rob Calloway |
New title | WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight champion Interim title 24 July 2004 – 20 November 2004 Won full title |
Title discontinued |
Vacant Title last held by Wladimir Klitschko |
WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight champion 20 November 2004 – 17 December 2005 Won world title |
Vacant Title next held by Ruslan Chagaev |
Preceded by Jean Francois Bergeron |
WBA–NABA heavyweight champion 29 September 2007 – November 2007 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Friday Ahunanya |
World titles | ||
Preceded by John Ruiz |
WBA heavyweight champion 17 December 2005 – 14 April 2007 |
Succeeded by Ruslan Chagaev |
Vacant Title last held by Ruslan Chagaev |
WBA heavyweight champion 30 August 2008 – 7 November 2009 |
Succeeded by David Haye |
References
- ↑ Jones, Michael J (24 June 2013). "Giants of the ring; the ten tallest heavyweight champions in history: Part Two". livefight.com. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
- ↑ "Размер имеет значение". Nevasport.ru. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
- ↑ "Священник, бывший боксер-любитель, благословил Валуева на бой с Руизом".
- ↑ Мои 12 раундов [My 12 rounds] (in Russian). TimeOut Moscow. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
- ↑ "Николай Валуев получил литературную премию за автобиографию – Бокс/MMA". Sports.ru. Retrieved 2010-07-28.
- ↑ "Valuev: "I faced with typical Russian boorishness aggravated with alcohol"". Rin.ru. 2007-01-21.
- ↑ "Russia's 'Beast from the East' in security guard assault scandal". RIA Novosti. 2006-01-26.
- ↑ "NBC Sports |". Nbcsports.msnbc.com. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
- ↑ Rafael, Dan (2007-08-14). "Ex-champ Valuev to fight Bergeron in Germany". ESPN.
- ↑ "Valuev dominates Liakhovich! - World boxing - Boxing news". Boxnews.com.ua. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
- ↑ "Ruslan Chagaev". BoxRec.com. 1978-10-19. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
- ↑ Holyfield, 46, faces Valuev for heavyweight title, Associated Press, 20 December 2008.
- ↑ Scott Christ (20 December 2008). "Holyfield robbed of win over sleepwalking Valuev". Bad Left Hook.
- ↑ "Giant Nikolai Valuev did little to deserve victory over Evander Holyfield". ESPN.com.
- ↑ "Boxing: WBA investigate Evander Holyfield and Nikolai Valuev fight | Sport". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
- ↑ "Loss to David Haye – BBC Website". BBC News. 2009-11-07. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
- ↑ "Valuev future in doubt". Sky Sports. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
- ↑ "Ex-champ Valuev talks Klitschko reign, Haye v Fury and retirement".
Through care, as well as health and medical recommendations, I was advised that fighting would not be good for me and so I will stay retired.
- ↑ "7 Zwerge full cast". imdb.com. Retrieved 2012-11-03.
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 28, 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2008.
- ↑ "Кинокартина с участием Валуева получила приз кинофестиваля "Окно в Европу" – Бокс/MMA". Sports.ru. Retrieved 2010-07-28.
- ↑ "Валуев снимается сразу в трех фильмах – Бокс/MMA". Sports.ru. Retrieved 2010-07-28.
- ↑ "(2 чтение) ФЗ №186614-6 "О мерах воздействия на лиц, причастных к нарушению основополагающих прав и свобод человека, прав и свобод граждан РФ"".
- ↑ "Google Translate". Translate.google.com. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
- ↑ Sputnik (22 December 2011). "'Beast from the East' welcomed into national bandy team setup".
- ↑ "Google Translate". Translate.google.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
- ↑ "Russian bandy players blessed for victory at world championship in Kazan". Tatar-Inform. 2011-01-21. Retrieved 2009-08-31.
- ↑ Николай Валуев открыл школу бокса в Петербурге [Nikolai Valuev opened a boxing school in Peterburg] (in Russian). Baltinfo. 27 September 2010. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
External links
- Professional boxing record for Nikolai Valuev from BoxRec
- Q and A Nikolay Valuev at SecondsOut Boxing