Nikolai Valuev - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nikolai Valuev (born August 21, 1973) is a former Russian professional boxer. He boxed as a professional heavyweight from 1993 to 2009. Valuev is a former Russian and two-time WBA heavyweight champion. He holds the record as the tallest and heaviest boxing champion in history. At his peak he stood 7' 1" (2.16m) and weighed more than 320lbs (145kg). Valuev holds notable wins over John Ruiz, Jameel McCline, Siarhei Liakhovich and Evander Holyfield. He retired at the age of 36, following a majority-decision defeat to David Haye in November 2009.

Biography[edit]

Valuev was born on 21 August 1973, in Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union (now St. Petersburg, Russia). He also had a Tatar grandfather.[1][2][3]

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.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7][8]

Boxing career[edit]

First reign as WBA champion[edit]

In 2005, Valuev squared off with WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz, and won a twelve-round majority-decision, becoming both the tallest (2.1 m or 7 ft) and heaviest (323lbs) champion in boxing history.[9] In his first defence 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[edit]

The title defence 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).[10]

Second reign as WBA champion[edit]

In a 16 February 2008, title eliminator, Valuev defeated former titleholder Sergei Liakhovich from Belarus, winning every round at the Nuremberg Arena in Germany.[11] 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.[12] 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's first title defence 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, in which Valuev won a controversial majority decision. Before the match, Valuev weighed 310.8 pounds (141 kg), nearly 100 pounds heavier than Holyfield at 214.3 pounds (97 kg).[13]

Loss of WBA title to Haye[edit]

In his second defence, Valuev lost his title on 7 November 2009 against former unified and lineal cruiserweight champion David Haye in Nuremberg on points (114–114, 116–112, 116–112).[14]

Retirement from boxing and health problems[edit]

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".[15] 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.[16]

Acting career and advertising[edit]

Valuev's first role in a film was a cameo appearance in the German film7 Zwerge – Der Wald ist nicht genug in 2006.[17] In 2008 Valuev played the main role in the film Stonehead by Philip Yankovskiy, playing an ex-boxer who lost his memory.[18] The film took the main prize at the film festival "Window to Europe".[19] After the success of Stonehead, it was announced Valuev is being filmed in two new films at the same time.[20]

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.[citation needed] Nikolai Valuev is also planning to open a family restaurant in Germany. In August 2010, Valuev signed a promotional contract with Pokerstars poker portal, which is going to achieve professional success in this game.[citation needed]

Valuev's distinctive appearance and fame have occasionally attracted the use of his images in advertising without his permission. In particular, the Penza theatre "Contemporary" for some time before the movie showing the film, 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.[citation needed]

Political career[edit]

In December 2011 Russian parliamentary election he became a member of Duma through the United Russia Party. On 17 December 2012, Valuev supported[21] the law in the Russian Parliament banning adoption of Russian orphans by citizens of the US.

Involvement in other sports[edit]

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.[22][23] He is also the Vice-President of the All Russian Bandy Federation[2]. Bandy is considered a national sport in Russia.[24]

Nikolai Valuev Boxing School[edit]

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.[25]

Valuev Youth Sports Foundation[edit]

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[edit]

Professional boxing record[edit]

50 Wins (34 Knockouts), 2 Losses, 1 No Contest[26]
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRd., TimeDateLocationNotes
Loss50–21 NCDavid HayeMD112009-11-07Nuremberg Arena, Nuremberg, GermanyLost WBA Heavyweight title.
Win50–11 NCEvander HolyfieldMD122008-12-20Hallenstadion, Zurich, SwitzerlandDefended WBA Heavyweight title.
Win49–11 NCJohn RuizUD122008-08-30Max Schmeling Halle, Prenzlauer Berg, GermanyWon vacant WBA Heavyweight title.
Win48–11 NCSiarhei LiakhovichUD122008-02-16Nuremberg Arena, Nuremberg, GermanyWBA Heavyweight title eliminator.
Win47–11 NCJean Francois BergeronUD122007-09-29EWE Arena, Oldenburg, Germany
Loss46–11 NCRuslan ChagaevMD122007-04-14Porsche Arena, Stuttgart, GermanyLost WBA Heavyweight title.
Win46–01 NCJameel McClineRTD3 (12), 3:002007-01-20 St. Jakob Halle, Basel, SwitzerlandDefended WBA Heavyweight title.
Win45–01 NCMonte BarrettTKO11 (12), 2:122006-10-07Allstate Arena, Rosemont, United StatesDefended WBA Heavyweight title.
Win44–01 NCOwen BeckTKO3 (12), 2:442006-06-03TUI Arena, Hannover, GermanyDefended WBA Heavyweight title.
Win43–01 NCJohn RuizMD122005-12-17Max Schmeling Halle, Prenzlauer Berg, GermanyWon WBA Heavyweight title.
Win42–01 NCLarry DonaldMD122005-10-01EWE Arena, Oldenburg, GermanyDefended WBA Inter-Continental Heavyweight title and WBA Heavyweight title eliminator.
Win41–01 NCClifford EtienneKO3 (12), ?2005-05-14 Oberfrankenhalle, Bayreuth, GermanyDefended WBA Inter-Continental Heavyweight title.
Win40–01 NCAttila LevinTKO3 (12), 2:342005-02-12Max Schmeling Halle, Prenzlauer Berg, GermanyDefended WBA Inter-Continental Heavyweight title.
Win39–01 NCGerald NoblesDQ4 (12), 0:422004-11-20 BigBox, Kempten, GermanyDefended WBA Inter-Continental Heavyweight title. Nobles disqualified for repeated low blows.
Win38–01 NCPaolo VidozTKO9 (12), 2:332004-10-09Messehalle, Erfurt, GermanyWon vacant WBA Inter-Continental Heavyweight title.
Win37–01 NCRichard BangoTKO6 (10), 1:502004-07-24 Brandenburg Halle, Frankfurt, GermanyWon Interim WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title.
Win36–01 NCMarcelo DominguezUD82004-04-17Max Schmeling Halle, Prenzlauer Berg, Germany
Win35–01 NCDicky RyanTKO1 (10), 2:432004-02-28 Mehrzweckhalle, Dresden, Germany
Win34–01 NC Otis TisdaleKO1 (8), ?2003-10-04 Stadthalle, Zwickau, Germany
Win33–01 NCBob MirovicUD82003-08-16Nuerburgring Race Track, Nürburg, Germany
Win32–01 NC Vitali ShkrabaTKO4 (10), ?2003-07-18 Belarusian State Circus, Minsk, Belarus
Win31–01 NC Pedro Daniel FrancoUD122003-03-15Yubileyny Sports Palace, Saint Petersburg, RussiaDefended PABA Heavyweight title.
Win30–01 NCKostiantyn PryziukRTD3 (10), 3:002002-10-10 Casino Conti, Saint Petersburg, RussiaDefended Russian Heavyweight title.
Win29–01 NCTaras BidenkoUD122002-07-21Seoul, South KoreaDefended PABA Heavyweight title.
Win28–01 NCYaroslav ZavorotnyiTKO3 (10), ?2002-06-15Druzhba Palace of Sports, DonetskUkraine
Win27–01 NC Toakipa TasefaUD122001-09-28Yubileyny Sports Palace, Saint Petersburg, RussiaDefended PABA Heavyweight title.
Win26–01 NC George LinbergerTKO1 (12), ?2001-06-30Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, United StatesDefended PABA Heavyweight title.
Win25–01 NC Vitali ShkrabaTKO4 (8), ?2001-03-06Moscow, RussiaDefended PABA Heavyweight title.
Win24–01 NC Tone FisoTKO1 (12), ?2000-10-29Yubileyny Sports Palace, Saint Petersburg, RussiaWon PABA Heavyweight title.
Win23–01 NCYuriy YelistratovUD122000-06-06Yubileyny Sports Palace, Saint Petersburg, RussiaWon Interim PABA heavyweight title.
Win22–01 NC Yuri NikolaevTKO2 (6), ?2000-03-10Novosibirsk, Russia
Win21–01 NC Aleksei VarakinKO1 (12), ?1999-12-15Saint Petersburg, RussiaDefended Russian Heavyweight title.
Win20–01 NC James McQueenKO1 (6), ?1999-06-25Prague, Czech Republic
NC19–01 NC Andreas SidonNC61999-05-07Prague, Czech RepublicNC due to fighting without a referee.
Win19–0 John TupouTKO4 (10), ?1999-02-13 Ariake Colosseum, Tokyo, Japan
Win18–0 Aleksei OsokinTKO6 (10), ?1999-01-22 Casino Conti, Saint Petersburg, RussiaWon vacant Russian Heavyweight title.
Win17–0 Evgeny OdolskyKO1 (6), ?1998-12-19 Casino Conti, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Win16–0 James GainesUD61998-06-09Moscow, Russia
Win15–0 Jim HuffmanTKO2 (4), ?1998-03-14Olympisky Sport Hall, Moscow, Russia
Win14–0 Sinclair BabbTKO1 (6), 2:051997-12-06Stockland Stadium, Townsville, Australia
Win13–0 Alarim UysalTKO2 (6), ?1997-11-08Ballsporthalle, Frankfurt, Germany
Win12–0Kevin RosierKO1 (6), ?1997-09-27Moscow, Russia
Win11–0 August TanuvasaTKO1 (6), 2:441997-08-21 Bankstown RSL Club, Sydney, Australia
Win10–0 Rodney HarrisUD41997-07-26Yokohama Arena, Kanagawa, Japan
Win9–0 Terrell NelsonTKO2 (4), 1:261997-05-31Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, United States
Win8–0 Manao NavuilawaTKO1 (4), 1:241997-05-09 Bankstown Sports Club, Sydney, Australia
Win7–0 Patrick SladeTKO1 (4), 1:591997-03-21 Parramatta RSL Club, Sydney, Australia
Win6–0 Darren FearnTKO1 (6), ?1996-11-26York Hall, London, England
Win5–0 Neil KirkwoodTKO2 (4), ?1996-10-08 Town Hall, London, England
Win4–0 Sergei AnikeevKO2 (4), ?1995-02-16Saint Petersburg, Russia
Win3–0 Aleksei TsygankovKO3 (4), ?1994-04-15Saint Petersburg, Russia
Win2–0 Aleksandr VasilievUD41994-02-22Saint Petersburg, Russia
Win1–0 John MortonTKO2 (4), ?1993-10-15 Sporthalle, Schöneberg, GermanyValuev's professional debut.

References[edit]

  1. ^Размер имеет значение
  2. ^Валуев стал еще сильнее, а Ляхович попал в больницу – бокс, Валуев – Росбалт-Петербург
  3. ^Николай “Beast from the east” Валуев » Paradyz.ru
  4. ^Священник, бывший боксер-любитель, благословил Валуева на бой с Руизом Православие.Ru
  5. ^"Мои 12 раундов" [My 12 rounds] (in Russian). TimeOut Moscow. Retrieved 21 May 2013. 
  6. ^"Николай Валуев получил литературную премию за автобиографию – Бокс/MMA". Sports.ru. Retrieved 2010-07-28. 
  7. ^"Valuev: "I faced with typical Russian boorishness aggravated with alcohol"". Rin.ru. 2007-01-21. 
  8. ^"Russia's 'Beast from the East' in security guard assault scandal". RIA Novosti. 2006-01-26. 
  9. ^7-foot giant claims WBA heavyweight title – Boxing- NBC Sports. Nbcsports.msnbc.com (2005-12-17). Retrieved on 2011-04-19.
  10. ^Rafael, Dan (2007-08-14). "Ex-champ Valuev to fight Bergeron in Germany". ESPN
  11. ^"Valuev dominates Liakhovich!"
  12. ^"Ruslan Chagaev"
  13. ^Holyfield, 46, faces Valuev for heavyweight title, Associated Press, 20 December 2008.
  14. ^"Loss to David Haye – BBC Website". BBC News. 2009-11-07. Retrieved 2010-05-20. 
  15. ^"Valuev future in doubt". Sky Sports. Retrieved 25 August 2010. 
  16. ^"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." 
  17. ^"7 Zwerge full cast". imdb.com. Retrieved 2012-11-03. 
  18. ^Кинопанорама – Блог команды Николая Валуева – Бокс – Sports.ru
  19. ^"Кинокартина с участием Валуева получила приз кинофестиваля "Окно в Европу" – Бокс/MMA". Sports.ru. Retrieved 2010-07-28. 
  20. ^"Валуев снимается сразу в трех фильмах – Бокс/MMA". Sports.ru. Retrieved 2010-07-28. 
  21. ^[1]
  22. ^Bandy information on the official home page of Nikolai Valuev
  23. ^'Beast from the East' welcomed into national bandy team setup
  24. ^"Russian bandy players blessed for victory at world championship in Kazan". Tatar-Inform. 2011-01-21. Retrieved 2009-08-31. 
  25. ^"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. 
  26. ^Nikolay Valuev – Boxer. Boxrec.com. Retrieved on 2011-04-19.

External links[edit]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikolai_Valuev