Heavyweight champs agree unification bout

Eurosport - Wed, 24 Jun 17:49:00 2009

WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev will meet WBC title holder Vitaly Klitschko in a unification fight this year.

BOXING Vitaly Klitschko (left) and Nikolai Valuev - 0

"I've talked to Vitaly on the phone recently and we agreed to meet each other in a ring," said Russian Valuev, 35.

"As far as the dates we're talking about the end of September or early October."

Ukrainian Klitschko confirmed his prospective opponent's claim.

"Yes, it's true," he said. "Nikolai had offered to fight and I've accepted his challenge."

Klitschko, 37, became eligible to fight Valuev after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that he did not have to make a mandatory defence against former champion Oleg Maskaev.

Valuev's fight with Uzbek Ruslan Chagaev was cancelled last month because Chagaev had tested positive for hepatitis B.

Klitschko's younger brother Vladimir, who holds the IBF, IBO and WBO heavyweight belts, retained his titles when he knocked out Chagaev in a fight in Germany on Saturday.

In a fragmented heavyweight division, boxing fans worldwide have long been hoping that an undisputed champion will emerge.

"I think everyone in the boxing world would want to see this fight because people are tired of having so many different title versions," Valuev said.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 7 of 27

Sort comments by: Most recent

  1. Maybe Setanta have bought the rights to this fight­ haha!!!

    From The Xentertainer, on Wed 24 Jun 3:45PM
  2. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    The only ring these two muppets should fight in is a­ circus ring. The Heavyweight division is a disgrace­ with a lack of quality. Povotkin might be good enough­ but I've never seen him fight. I still wish David­ Tua would get a title shot because I do believe­ he'd beat the Klitschkos. So will Haye. And even­ though Maccarinelli would struggle to take a punch at­ Heavyweight, he needs something to motivate him.­ Fighting Cruiserweights isn't serious business for­ him anymore.

    From The Xentertainer, on Wed 24 Jun 3:44PM

  3. You are on the ball fredwelke; have to agree with­ everyone else Vatali in 8 rounds also David Haye to­ knock out Wladimir in 6

    From jjmalone, on Wed 24 Jun 3:43PM

  4. Valuev struggled to an unconvincing win against the­ legendary but now faded Holyfield,who has always just­ been a blown up cruiser with the heart of a lion­ ,what's he gonna do with someone similiar in size­ who can bang?.Valuev has deceptively fast hands for his­ size but has never punched his 20 stones in­ weight,Klitchko for rsf round 9, and almost Primo­ Canerra like demise I think.

    From jack torrance, on Wed 24 Jun 3:34PM

  5. Can't think of a duller fight. Won't be staying­ up late to watch two lumps stagger around for twelve­ rounds throwing three punches a round.

    From Lance, on Wed 24 Jun 3:34PM

  6. I would have to give this one to Vitali, definately the­ better boxer and can BANG! Never really seen­ Valuev's chin tested tbh, but think he will be­ broken down in later rounds.
    Valuev can hit hard due to­ his weight but Vitaly has a good chin unlike his­ brother so I think a Klitschko stoppage around 9th or­ 10th round.

    From Luke W, on Wed 24 Jun 3:12PM

  7. Why show the photo of Vladimir Klitschko, when Valuev­ is going to fight Vitali, his elder brother? Someone­ hasn't done his homework.

    Fred - Florianopolis,­ Brazil

    From Friedrich, on Wed 24 Jun 3:11PM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account