IBF and WBO heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko and his challenger from Uzbekistan Ruslan Chagaev (R) (AFP PHOTO DDP / PHILIPP GUELLAND GERMANY OUT)
“Chagaev is the ‘real’ WBA champ” – Klitschko
Published 16 June, 2009, 13:34
IBF and WBO heavyweight champ Wladimir Klitshcko says he considers his nearest rival Ruslan Chagaev the ‘real’ WBA world champion, and not Russian boxer Nikolay Valuev.
Speaking at a press-conference ahead of the June 20 bout at 60.000 Veltins-Arena in the German city of Gelsenkirchen, the Ukrainian boxer stressed he’s looking forward to: “fighting against Ruslan. He is WBA Champion, very experienced and a tough challenger”.
Klitshcko (52-3, 46 KOs) explained he considers the Uzbek to be the “real” champion because he has already triumphed over Nikolay Valuev in the ring.
Undefeated Ruslan Chagaev (25-0, 17 KOs) went in as replacement for British David Haye, who was forced to pull out of the June 20 bout due to injury.
And the situation surrounding the WBA belt is complicated. For now, the Federation has labeled Chagaev as “champion in recess” and Valuev – “champion”, but both boxers still claim that they are the “real” champions.
Valuev (50-1, 34 KOs) and Chagaev fought on April 14, 2007, with the Uzbek boxer winning on points to relieve the Russian of his WBA title. The return match was cancelled because of a Chagaev injury.
But the Uzbek received a chance to face the reigning champion after recovering. Valuev claimed the vacant belt, beating Sergey Liakhovich from Belarus.
And their latest chance to settle the scores – a May 30 fight in Helsinki, Finland – was also not to be due to Chagaev being “unable to fulfill the Finnish Boxing Federation's medical requirements.” The media and Valuev’s camp believe the Uzbek fighter suffers from a hepatitis infection.
“Last week my fight against Valuev was cancelled. Now I am fighting against Wladimir Klitschko in front of 60.000 spectators. I am looking forward to the arena in Schalke, the crowd as well as Klitschko’s three belts which I will take home with me. I have no fear of Wladimir. I’m also a world champion, not only him. I’ve always said I would box against anyone. The size difference doesn’t bother me. That’s Wladimir’s problem because I have already defeated a big boxer in Valuev,” Ruslan Chagaev said, Fightnews.com reports.
Klitschko’s IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine titles will be put on line on Saturday, but Chagaev’s team says their boxer’s WBA belt may also be at stake.
According to Boxingscene.com, Chagaev’s manager Klaus-Peter Kohl said he sent a request to the WBA to sanction the fight and he awaits the decision on Wednesday, June 17.
discuss it
