Posted on 12/17/2005 10:19:04 AM PST by beyond the sea
If The Beast from the East, Nikolai Valuev, defeats John Ruiz in the Max Schmeling Halle in Berlin tonight to take the World Boxing Association version of the world heavyweight title, he will not only be the first Russian to lay claim to it, but also the biggest man.
Valuev, 32, from St Petersburg, has never lost in 44 professional contests, but it is his size that marks him as truly exceptional. He is 7ft 2in, about a foot taller than Ruiz, and weighs up to 152kg (24st). However, the ans who once laughed when he stepped in the ring have been forced to take him seriously; a fact illustrated by the odds showing Valuev as the 13-8 on favourite to win with bookmakers Stan James.
The Russian has been boxing professionally for 12 years, but made few ripples before his career came under the guidance of the German promoter Wilfred Sauerland three years ago. Since then he has scored a ninth-round stoppage victory over the current European champion Paolo Vidoz of Italy, knocked out the American Clifford Etienne in three rounds and edged a majority decision over Etienne's fellow countryman, the veteran Larry Donald in October to set up this bout.
Ruiz, 33, who is perhaps best known for a fight he lost to Roy Jones, will be in his 10th world title contest and is known as an ugly mauler who tends to wear down his opponents through his physical strength and determination.
(Excerpt) Read more at sport.guardian.co.uk ...
If he can reach it.
Ruiz has bedeveled many apparently stronger, larger and more skilled boxers with his unorthodox style. On the other hand the heavyweight division has been lacking in a clear leader for years.
Is this being televised?
This would be good to see.
ROCKY 4 redux
the guy is darn big!
Boxing or WWE?
We knew Heavyweight "Champion" John Ruiz was a joke...but now Don King has decided the only opponent people will watch is a wrestling castoff. Nikolai Valuev is 7-foot, 330-pounds.
Valuev will have to last into the later rounds..
His weight and size will make that difficult..
Likewise, his size affects his speed and footing..
Ruiz will probably have the advantage there..
Ruiz will be presented with the difficulty of landing hard enough blows to affect such a large opponent..
His best hope is that Valuez turns out to have a glass jaw for this matchup..
44 fights would indicate that he doesn't..
Ruiz will have to hope that he is simply the better boxer, and that Valuev will revert to what has served him best.. The fact that he is very big and very strong..
Not necessarilly a good boxer, all Valuev needs is a solid hit or two.. Strength and Size..
George Foreman was not very fast either..
Watch any of his fights and note the comparatively slow swing..
Foreman's advantage was size and weight..
It only took one or two good hits to take out an opponent..
Ruiz has that to deal with..
Can he take the hits from a 330 pound opponent?
Even glancing blows can wreak havoc..
Ruiz will be incredibly sore by the 5th or 6th rounds..
My prediction, Valuev..
TKO by the 6th or 7th round..
Well, the facial angle seen in that photo you posted does not belong to a homo sapiens.
Looks like it will be an uphill battle for Ruiz.
"I'm gonna break your hands with my face!!"
Yoi, that's one big boxer ........ and one big target.
"Do you recognize me?" the old opponent asked.
Willie looked hard and considered before finally replying, "Lie down so I can recognize you."
"Disputed split decision", according to ESPN. First Russian heavyweight champ.
Considering Mike Tyson's height disadvantage.......I'd like to see Mike come back and take a bite outa da Ruskie......ouch!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.