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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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To: Admin Moderator

That sucks. The web just isn't what it used to be.


21 posted on 01/27/2006 7:22:33 AM PST by Callahan
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To: mnehrling

Dang, that forehead departs his eyebrows at a 45degree angle! Looks like it was forged in a Russian tank factory.


22 posted on 01/27/2006 7:24:05 AM PST by Belasarius (Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. Job 5:2-7)
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To: mnehrling

Yoi.

23 posted on 01/27/2006 7:24:51 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

24 posted on 01/27/2006 7:24:53 AM PST by r9etb
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To: r9etb

did he skip a few steps of the evolutionary ladder?
I thought boxers weren't allowed to wear sweaters in the ring?


25 posted on 01/27/2006 7:26:29 AM PST by newnhdad
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To: Lazamataz

26 posted on 01/27/2006 7:27:11 AM PST by r9etb
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To: Callahan
No big deal.

Ruiz is a real journeyman and no great shakes. Despite this, Valuev only just shaded the decision and couldn't put Ruiz away.

David Tua ironed out Ruiz in one round.

Valuev is made to order for a Tua/Tyson type of fighter.

27 posted on 01/27/2006 7:27:19 AM PST by marshmallow
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To: newnhdad
did he skip a few steps of the evolutionary ladder?

Odd you should mention that ... see my #26.... ;-)

28 posted on 01/27/2006 7:27:50 AM PST by r9etb
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To: Lazamataz

Whoa.... Somebody tell Andy Reed about this guy!


29 posted on 01/27/2006 7:28:43 AM PST by Lancey Howard
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To: mnehrling

This guy reminds me of "Toro Moreno" in the 1950's Humphrey Bogart movie "The Harder They Fall".


30 posted on 01/27/2006 7:30:47 AM PST by texasmountainman (proud father of a U.S. Marine)
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To: marshmallow
THe only problem is Tyson would have to climb a step ladder just to reach Valuev's law. He could however give him one hell of a nipple hickey.

Seriously, I quick precision boxer could probably make mincemeat out of this lumbering giant.

31 posted on 01/27/2006 7:30:58 AM PST by commish (Freedom Tastes Sweetest to Those Who Have Fought to Preserve It)
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To: Lazamataz

Butterbean is gonna whoop his butt.


32 posted on 01/27/2006 7:31:49 AM PST by RedBloodedAmerican
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To: dfwgator

Do you mean layers like an onion or layers like a parfait?


33 posted on 01/27/2006 7:31:49 AM PST by magslinger (If at first you don't succeed, squeeze, squeeze again.)
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To: Eaker

Hey Eaker didn't you say this was the guy that ya had to whupp up on in the Piggly Wiggly parking lot ?


34 posted on 01/27/2006 7:32:41 AM PST by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
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To: mnehrling

After beating up a doorman, it appears the guy's got a little 'roid rage going on too.


35 posted on 01/27/2006 7:34:08 AM PST by Obadiah
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To: Callahan

Here's another pic.

36 posted on 01/27/2006 7:34:08 AM PST by SirTaurus (Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country!)
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To: texasmountainman

Reminds me of Ed "Too Tall" Jones.


37 posted on 01/27/2006 7:35:47 AM PST by RedBloodedAmerican
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To: frankjr

38 posted on 01/27/2006 7:38:37 AM PST by IllumiNaughtyByNature (There is an APB out for my tagline. If you find it, FReepmail me.)
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To: K4Harty

damn that's huge

can anyone put rove's face on the guy on the left and dean's face on the guy on the right?


39 posted on 01/27/2006 7:41:31 AM PST by kpp_kpp
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To: mnehrling

Eh. He's just WBA champion. That's like being the champions of the NFL Europe.


40 posted on 01/27/2006 7:41:49 AM PST by Lunatic Fringe (North Texas Solutions http://ntxsolutions.com)
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