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Next Big Thing (7' 323lb. Boxer Nicolai Valuev)
LA Times ^ | 1/27.06 | Kim Murphy

Posted on 01/27/2006 7:13:21 AM PST by Callahan

MOSCOW — In any boxing club, sweat is part of the ambience, but in Russia, the sweat factor usually scores a one-two punch to the nose right from the doorway, reminding all who enter of what it smells like to be a nastoyashi muzhik, a real Russian man.

On the wall of a small neighborhood boxing club in northwest Moscow, there is a huge, grainy photo of Stanislav Stepashkin, the 1964 Olympic featherweight champion who was one of Russia's early claims to international boxing fame, and a real Russian man if there ever was one.

Stepashkin agreed two years ago to serve as president of the club, and the neighborhood boys here renamed it in his honor.

These days, another photo hangs on the dank walls next to Stepashkin's, and while the picture isn't bigger, the man assuredly is: Nikolay Valuev, crowned in December as Russia's first World Boxing Assn. heavyweight champion.

Valuev himself strode into the gym recently during his triumphant return to Russia after the title bout, in which he defeated American John Ruiz on a controversial decision in Berlin to become the tallest (7 feet) and heaviest (323 pounds) world champion in history. He's so big he usually steps into the ring over the top rope … so big that the adolescent pugilists at the Stepashkin Club would have barely been able to land a hook as high as his belly, if they had the nerve to try.

Most just craned their necks and gawked, or melted into nervous grins

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: missinglink; russianfighter
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Comment #1 Removed by Moderator

To: Callahan
Good lord.. makes Drago look like a sissy.
2 posted on 01/27/2006 7:14:15 AM PST by mnehring (Perry 06- It's better than a hippie in a cowboy hat or a commie with blue hair.)
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To: Callahan

Yikes!


3 posted on 01/27/2006 7:15:10 AM PST by maggief (and the dessert cart rolls on ...)
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To: Callahan

That's one fugly dude....


4 posted on 01/27/2006 7:15:44 AM PST by taxed2death (A few billion here, a few trillion there...we're all friends right?)
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To: Callahan

I've seen this guy fight and he doesn't have much in the way of boxing skill. I'm still glad they gave it to him over that annoying clod Ruiz. Valuev is ugly though. Could have a long career playing James Bond villains.


5 posted on 01/27/2006 7:15:55 AM PST by Callahan
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To: Callahan

Klitschko is better. Tall, strong, and talented, versus just tall and strong.


6 posted on 01/27/2006 7:16:00 AM PST by domenad (In all things, in all ways, at all times, let honor guide me.)
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To: Callahan

....but I'm sure not gonna tell him!


7 posted on 01/27/2006 7:16:14 AM PST by taxed2death (A few billion here, a few trillion there...we're all friends right?)
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To: Callahan

A giant walks among Russ.


8 posted on 01/27/2006 7:17:04 AM PST by WorkingClassFilth (The problem with being a 'big tent' Party is that the clowns are seated with the paying customers.)
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To: Callahan

This guy's a freakin' OGRE!


9 posted on 01/27/2006 7:17:44 AM PST by Lazamataz (I have a Chinese family renting an apartment from me. They are lo mein tenants.)
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To: Callahan

He's built like Andre the Giant!


10 posted on 01/27/2006 7:17:47 AM PST by RockinRight (Attention RNC...we're the party of Reagan, not FDR...)
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To: Callahan
Bring it on Rooskie!


11 posted on 01/27/2006 7:17:59 AM PST by frankjr
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To: Callahan

Jeez, any many who steps into that ring without a gun is comiting suicide.


12 posted on 01/27/2006 7:18:18 AM PST by Blood of Tyrants (G-d is not a Republican. But Satan is definitely a Democrat.)
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To: Lazamataz
This guy's a freakin' OGRE!

But does he have layers?

13 posted on 01/27/2006 7:18:50 AM PST by dfwgator
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To: Callahan

Great Googlymoogly.


14 posted on 01/27/2006 7:18:54 AM PST by martin_fierro (Silliness is perforce graphics-intensive)
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To: Callahan
Your post has to be removed because it contains a photo from Getty Images.

Photos from Getty Images and Corbis are not permitted.

Updated FR Excerpt and Link Only or Deny Posting List due to Copyright Complaints

15 posted on 01/27/2006 7:20:01 AM PST by Admin Moderator
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To: mnehrling

"Valuev is ugly though. Could have a long career playing James Bond villains."

Looks like we've found the "missing link"....:0)



16 posted on 01/27/2006 7:20:18 AM PST by yer gonna put yer eye out (Note to NYT: Those who spin, cannot win...(think Johnny Cochran))
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To: martin_fierro

Here's another pic.

17 posted on 01/27/2006 7:20:33 AM PST by Callahan
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To: dfwgator

Shrek reference?


18 posted on 01/27/2006 7:21:19 AM PST by Lazamataz (I have a Chinese family renting an apartment from me. They are lo mein tenants.)
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To: mnehrling

Yay! the second post and a rocky reference- LOL-reading my mind.

I WILL BREAK YOU! LOL. that movie is so great-bad!


19 posted on 01/27/2006 7:22:15 AM PST by lawgirl (She's more fun than Colorado and more far out than Maine.....)
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To: mnehrling

It seems like his wife is as much a witch as that NBA player's that's been in the news lately.


20 posted on 01/27/2006 7:22:31 AM PST by winner3000
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