Nikolai Valuev
Nikolai Valuev Никола́й Валу́ев | |
---|---|
![]() Valuev in 2018 | |
Born | Nikolai Sergeyevich Valuev 21 August 1973 |
Nationality | Russian |
Other names |
|
Statistics | |
Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
Height | 2.13 m (7 ft 0 in)[1][2][3][nb 1] |
Reach | 216 cm (85 in) |
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 53 |
Wins | 50 |
Wins by KO | 34 |
Losses | 2 |
No contests | 1 |
Nikolai Sergeyevich Valuev (vah-LOO-yev, Russian: Никола́й Серге́евич Валу́ев, IPA: [vɐˈlujɪf]; born 21 August 1973) is a Russian politician and former professional boxer.[4] He competed in boxing from 1993 to 2009, and held the WBA heavyweight title twice between 2005 and 2009. Standing at a height of 2.13 metres (7.0 ft) and a peak weight of 149 kilograms (328 lb), Valuev is best known for being the tallest and heaviest world champion in boxing history.[5][6]
Biography
Valuev was born on 21 August 1973, in Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union (now Saint Petersburg, Russia).[7] He is of ethnic Russian descent, but he also had a Tatar grandfather. Although his own parents are short—both 1.67 m (5.5 ft) tall—his Tatar great-grandfather has been described as "of mountainous proportions" and "a warrior giant of Russian folklore." His own size and appearance are due to gigantism complicated by acromegaly.[8] Valuev has three children, daughter Irina, son Grisha (Grigoriy), and third child, son Sergei (born 30 July 2012). In his professional boxing career he was defeated only twice, by Ruslan Chagaev and David Haye.
Valuev is a Russian Orthodox Christian.[9] 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.[10] The book discusses his life in general and his boxing career in particular. For that book, Valuev received an award from the government of Saint Petersburg.[11] The book was presented in Saint Petersburg on 5 February 2007.
In January 2006, Valuev was accused of assaulting a security guard at the Spartak Ice Palace in Saint Petersburg. No criminal investigation was launched by local police.[12][13]
Amateur career
Highlights
Russian National Championships (+91 kg), Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 1994:
- 1/4: Lost to Alexei Lezin
Goodwill Games (+91 kg), Saint Petersburg, July 1994:
- 1/4: Lost to Alexei Lezin (Russia) on points, 8–+8
Valuev is one of a few boxers to try to resume his amateur career after the original pro debut.
Professional career
First reign as WBA heavyweight champion
In 2005, Valuev squared off with WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz, and won a twelve-round majority-decision, becoming both the tallest (2.13 m or 7 ft) and heaviest (323 lbs) champion in boxing history.[14] 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.
Valuev vs. Chagaev
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f8/Valuev_vs_Chagaev.jpg/220px-Valuev_vs_Chagaev.jpg)
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).[15]
Second reign as WBA champion
Valuev vs. Liakhovich
On 16 February 2008, in a title eliminator, Valuev defeated former titleholder Siarhei Liakhovich, winning every round at the Nuremberg Arena in Germany.[16] 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.[17] 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 vs. Holyfield
Valuev's first title defense 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. Before the match, Valuev weighed 310.8 pounds (141 kg), nearly 100 pounds heavier than Holyfield at 214.3 pounds (97 kg).[18] After a rather uneventful match with no knockdowns and few punches thrown by either fighter, Valuev won a widely disputed majority decision.[19][20] In response to the controversial result the WBA announced plans to investigate the decision.[21]
Loss to Haye
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Valuev-nach-Haye-Fight-2009.jpg/220px-Valuev-nach-Haye-Fight-2009.jpg)
In his second defense on 7 November 2009, billed as 'David vs. Goliath', Valuev faced off against former unified and lineal cruiserweight champion David Haye (22-1, 21 KOs) at the Arena Nürnberger Versicherung in Nuremberg. Valuev lost on points (114–114, 116–112, 116–112).[22]
Retirement from boxing and health problems
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".[23] 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.[24]
Valuev is one of five heavyweight champions to have retired without having suffered a stoppage loss during his career. The others are Gene Tunney, Rocky Marciano, Riddick Bowe and Sultan Ibragimov.
Personal Life
Acting career and advertising
Valuev's first role in a film was a cameo appearance in the German film 7 Zwerge – Der Wald ist nicht genug in 2006.[25] In 2008, Valuev played the main role in the film Stonehead by Philip Yankovskiy, playing an ex-boxer who lost his memory.[26] The film took the main prize at the film festival "Window to Europe".[27] After the success of Stonehead, it was announced Valuev is being filmed in two new films at the same time.[28]
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 the Pokerstars poker portal.[citation needed]
Valuev's distinctive appearance and fame have occasionally attracted the use of his images in advertising without his permission. In particular, a cinema in Penza, which for some time before screening a film, had an advertisement where Valuev acts as a man who punishes the audience disturbing others.[citation needed] Valuev, upon learning about this, sued the cinema for damages amounting to 2 million rubles. In 2011, Valuev was involved in the advertising power of "Interskol" as well as in advertisements with MTS.[citation needed]
In August 2016 Valuev became a presenter in “Good Night, Little Ones!”, Russia’s long-running TV program for small children.[29]
Political career
In December 2011 Russian parliamentary election, Valuev became a member of the State Duma through the United Russia Party. On 17 December 2012, Valuev supported[30] the law in the Russian Parliament banning adoption of Russian orphans by citizens of the US.
Following the IOC's decision to suspend Russia from participating in the Olympics under its flag due to the Russian state-sponsored doping scandal, Valuev said that Russia should go to the Olympics and "tear everyone apart to spite these bastards who want to kill our sport."[31]
Involvement in other sports
In 2011, Valuev became the general manager of the Russia national bandy team, and is tasked with developing the sport in the country.[32][33] He is also the Vice-President of the Russian Bandy Federation.[34] Bandy is considered a national sport in Russia.[35]
Nikolai Valuev Boxing School and Youth Sports Foundation
In 2009, Valuev, together with a group of coaches, created the Nikolay Valuev Boxing School, with offices in Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad Oblast. The school is divided into 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 Saint Petersburg.[36]
The Valuev Youth Sports Foundation 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.[citation needed]
Professional boxing record
53 fights | 50 wins | 2 losses |
---|---|---|
By knockout | 34 | 0 |
By decision | 15 | 2 |
By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
No contests | 1 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
53 | Loss | 50–2 (1) | ![]() |
MD | 12 | 7 Nov 2009 | ![]() |
Lost WBA heavyweight title |
52 | Win | 50–1 (1) | ![]() |
MD | 12 | 20 Dec 2008 | ![]() |
Retained WBA heavyweight title |
51 | Win | 49–1 (1) | ![]() |
UD | 12 | 30 Aug 2008 | ![]() |
Won vacant WBA heavyweight title |
50 | Win | 48–1 (1) | ![]() |
UD | 12 | 16 Feb 2008 | ![]() |
|
49 | Win | 47–1 (1) | ![]() |
UD | 12 | 29 Sep 2007 | ![]() |
Won WBA–NABA heavyweight title |
48 | Loss | 46–1 (1) | ![]() |
MD | 12 | 14 Apr 2007 | ![]() |
Lost WBA heavyweight title |
47 | Win | 46–0 (1) | ![]() |
RTD | 3 (12), 3:00 | 20 Jan 2007 | ![]() |
Retained WBA heavyweight title |
46 | Win | 45–0 (1) | ![]() |
TKO | 11 (12), 2:12 | 7 Oct 2006 | ![]() |
Retained WBA heavyweight title |
45 | Win | 44–0 (1) | ![]() |
TKO | 3 (12), 2:44 | 3 Jun 2006 | ![]() |
Retained WBA heavyweight title |
44 | Win | 43–0 (1) | ![]() |
MD | 12 | 17 Dec 2005 | ![]() |
Won WBA heavyweight title |
43 | Win | 42–0 (1) | ![]() |
MD | 12 | 1 Oct 2005 | ![]() |
Retained WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title |
42 | Win | 41–0 (1) | ![]() |
KO | 3 (12) | 14 May 2005 | ![]() |
Retained WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title |
41 | Win | 40–0 (1) | ![]() |
TKO | 3 (12), 2:34 | 12 Feb 2005 | ![]() |
Retained WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title |
40 | Win | 39–0 (1) | ![]() |
DQ | 4 (12), 0:42 | 20 Nov 2004 | ![]() |
Retained WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title; Nobles disqualified for repeated holding |
39 | Win | 38–0 (1) | ![]() |
TKO | 9 (12), 2:33 | 9 Oct 2004 | ![]() |
Won vacant WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title |
38 | Win | 37–0 (1) | ![]() |
TKO | 6 (10), 1:50 | 24 Jul 2004 | ![]() |
Won vacant WBA Inter-Continental interim heavyweight title |
37 | Win | 36–0 (1) | ![]() |
UD | 8 | 17 Apr 2004 | ![]() |
|
36 | Win | 35–0 (1) | ![]() |
TKO | 1 (10), 2:43 | 28 Feb 2004 | ![]() |
|
35 | Win | 34–0 (1) | ![]() |
KO | 1 (8) | 4 Oct 2003 | ![]() |
|
34 | Win | 33–0 (1) | ![]() |
UD | 8 | 16 Aug 2003 | ![]() |
|
33 | Win | 32–0 (1) | ![]() |
TKO | 4 (10) | 18 Jul 2003 | ![]() |
|
32 | Win | 31–0 (1) | ![]() |
UD | 12 | 15 Mar 2003 | ![]() |
Retained PABA heavyweight title |
31 | Win | 30–0 (1) | ![]() |
RTD | 3 (10), 3:00 | 10 Oct 2002 | ![]() |
Retained Russian heavyweight title |
30 | Win | 29–0 (1) | ![]() |
UD | 12 | 21 Jul 2002 | ![]() |
Retained PABA heavyweight title |
29 | Win | 28–0 (1) | ![]() |
TKO | 3 (10) | 15 Jun 2002 | ![]() |
|
28 | Win | 27–0 (1) | ![]() |
UD | 12 | 28 Sep 2001 | ![]() |
Retained PABA heavyweight title |
27 | Win | 26–0 (1) | ![]() |
TKO | 1 (12), 1:20 | 30 Jun 2001 | ![]() |
Won vacant PABA heavyweight title |
26 | Win | 25–0 (1) | ![]() |
TKO | 4 (8) | 6 Mar 2001 | ![]() |
|
25 | Win | 24–0 (1) | ![]() |
TKO | 1 (12) | 29 Oct 2000 | ![]() |
Retained PABA interim heavyweight title |
24 | Win | 23–0 (1) | ![]() |
UD | 12 | 6 Jun 2000 | ![]() |
Won vacant PABA interim heavyweight title |
23 | Win | 22–0 (1) | ![]() |
TKO | 2 (6) | 10 Mar 2000 | ![]() |
|
22 | Win | 21–0 (1) | ![]() |
KO | 1 (12), 1:30 | 15 Dec 1999 | ![]() |
Retained Russian heavyweight title |
21 | Win | 20–0 (1) | ![]() |
KO | 1 (6) | 25 Jun 1999 | ![]() |
|
20 | NC | 19–0 (1) | ![]() |
NC | 6 | 7 May 1999 | ![]() |
NC after the referee left the ring before the end of the fight |
19 | Win | 19–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 4 (6), 1:16 | 13 Feb 1999 | ![]() |
|
18 | Win | 18–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 6 (10) | 22 Jan 1999 | ![]() |
Won vacant Russia heavyweight title |
17 | Win | 17–0 | ![]() |
KO | 1 (6) | 19 Dec 1998 | ![]() |
|
16 | Win | 16–0 | ![]() |
UD | 6 | 9 Jun 1998 | ![]() |
|
15 | Win | 15–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 2 (6), 0:37 | 14 Mar 1998 | ![]() |
|
14 | Win | 14–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 1 (6), 2:50 | 6 Dec 1997 | ![]() |
|
13 | Win | 13–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 2 | 8 Nov 1997 | ![]() |
|
12 | Win | 12–0 | ![]() |
KO | 1 | 27 Sep 1997 | ![]() |
|
11 | Win | 11–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 1 (6), 2:44 | 21 Aug 1997 | ![]() |
|
10 | Win | 10–0 | ![]() |
PTS | 4 | 26 Jul 1997 | ![]() |
|
9 | Win | 9–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 2 (4), 1:26 | 31 May 1997 | ![]() |
|
8 | Win | 8–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 1 (4), 1:24 | 9 May 1997 | ![]() |
|
7 | Win | 7–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 1 (4), 1:59 | 21 Mar 1997 | ![]() |
|
6 | Win | 6–0 | ![]() |
RTD | 1 (6), 3:00 | 26 Nov 1996 | ![]() |
|
5 | Win | 5–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 2 (4) | 8 Oct 1996 | ![]() |
|
4 | Win | 4–0 | ![]() |
KO | 2 (4) | 16 Feb 1995 | ![]() |
|
3 | Win | 3–0 | ![]() |
KO | 3 (4) | 15 Apr 1994 | ![]() |
|
2 | Win | 2–0 | ![]() |
PTS | 4 | 22 Feb 1994 | ![]() |
|
1 | Win | 1–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 2 (4) | 15 Oct 1993 | ![]() |
Professional debut |
Filmography
- 2001: The town – issue #89
- 2003: Playing without rules – cameo
- 2006: 7 Zwerge – Der Wald ist nicht genug – cameo
- 2008: Rock Head – Yegor Golovin "Rock Head"
- 2009: Path – a prisoner nicknamed "The Beast"
- 2009: Fight without rules – Nicholas Shafts
- 2011: Antique Watches – cameo
- 2013: Bigfoot Files – himself
Notes
- ^ Sources vary on his height, with some listing him as 2.18 m (7.2 ft)
References
- ^ "Chagaev points win stuns Valuev". BBC Sport. BBC. 14 April 2007. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
- ^ "Valuev ends Holyfield title dream". BBC Sport. BBC. 20 December 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
- ^ Davies, Gareth A (6 November 2009). "David Haye v Nikolai Valuev: speed the key as Briton aims to topple the 'Russian Giant'". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
- ^ "Name: VALUEV, NIKOLAI SIGNED PHOTO CARD (JSA)". Jo Sports Inc.
- ^ Jones, Michael J (24 June 2013). "Giants of the ring; the ten tallest heavyweight champions in history: Part Two". livefight.com. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
- ^ Alexander, George (12 January 2017). "Boxing Trivia". boxbets.co.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
- ^ "Размер имеет значение". Nevasport.ru. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
- ^ Mitchell, Kevin (5 November 2009). "David Haye must land body blows to cut Nikolai Valuev down to size".The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- ^ "Священник, бывший боксер-любитель, благословил Валуева на бой с Руизом".
- ^ Мои 12 раундов [My 12 rounds] (in Russian). TimeOut Moscow. Archived from the original on 6 July 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
- ^ "Николай Валуев получил литературную премию за автобиографию – Бокс/MMA". Sports.ru. Retrieved 2010-07-28.
- ^ "Valuev: "I faced with typical Russian boorishness aggravated with alcohol"". Rin.ru. 2007-01-21.
- ^ "Russia's 'Beast from the East' in security guard assault scandal". RIA Novosti. 2006-01-26.
- ^ "NBC Sports |". Nbcsports.msnbc.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-11. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
- ^ Rafael, Dan (2007-08-14). "Ex-champ Valuev to fight Bergeron in Germany". ESPN.
- ^ "Valuev dominates Liakhóvich! - World boxing - Boxing news". BoxNews.com.ua. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
- ^ "Ruslan Chagaev". BoxRec.com. 1978-10-19. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
- ^ Holyfield, 46, faces Valuev for heavyweight title Archived 2010-01-16 at the Wayback Machine, Associated Press, 20 December 2008.
- ^ Scott Christ (20 December 2008). "Holyfield robbed of win over sleepwalking Valuev". Bad Left Hook.
- ^ "Giant Nikolai Valuev did little to deserve victory over Evander Holyfield". ESPN.com.
- ^ "Boxing: WBA investigate Evander Holyfield and Nikolai Valuev fight | Sport". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
- ^ "Loss to David Haye – BBC Website". BBC News. 2009-11-07. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
- ^ "Valuev future in doubt". Sky Sports. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
- ^ "Ex-champ Valuev talks Klitschko reign, Haye v Fury and retirement". Archived from the original on 2013-11-16.
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.
- ^ "7 Zwerge full cast". imdb.com. Retrieved 2012-11-03.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 28, 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2008.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Кинокартина с участием Валуева получила приз кинофестиваля "Окно в Европу" – Бокс/MMA". Sports.ru. Retrieved 2010-07-28.
- ^ "Валуев снимается сразу в трех фильмах – Бокс/MMA". Sports.ru. Retrieved 2010-07-28.
- ^ "Николай Валуев — новый ведущий «Спокойной ночи, малыши!»". Karusel TV. 2016-07-13.
- ^ "(2 чтение) ФЗ №186614-6 "О мерах воздействия на лиц, причастных к нарушению основополагающих прав и свобод человека, прав и свобод граждан РФ"".
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-12-24. Retrieved 2017-12-24.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Google Translate". Translate.google.com. Archived from the original on 2017-03-07. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
- ^ Sputnik (22 December 2011). "'Beast from the East' welcomed into national bandy team setup". Archived from the original on 8 July 2012.
- ^ "Google Translate". Translate.google.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2017-03-07. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
- ^ "Russian bandy players blessed for victory at world championship in Kazan". Tatar-Inform. 2011-01-21. Archived from the original on 2012-04-24. Retrieved 2009-08-31.
- ^ 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.
External links
- Boxing record for Nikolai Valuev from BoxRec (registration required)
Sporting positions | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Regional boxing titles | ||||
Vacant Title last held by Nikolay Kulpin
|
Russia heavyweight champion 22 January 1999 – June 2000 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Alexey Osokin
| ||
Vacant Title last held by Justin Fortune
|
PABA heavyweight champion Interim title 6 June 2000 – 30 June 2001 Won full title |
Vacant Title next held by Taras Bidenko
| ||
Vacant Title last held by Kirk Johnson
|
PABA heavyweight champion 30 June 2001 – July 2004 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Rob Calloway
| ||
New title | WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight champion Interim title 24 July 2004 – 20 November 2004 Won full title |
Title discontinued | ||
Vacant Title last held by Wladimir Klitschko
|
WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight champion 20 November 2004 – 17 December 2005 Won world title |
Vacant Title next held by Ruslan Chagaev
| ||
Preceded by | WBA–NABA heavyweight champion 29 September 2007 – November 2007 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Friday Ahunanya
| ||
World boxing titles | ||||
Preceded by | WBA heavyweight champion 17 December 2005 – 14 April 2007 |
Succeeded by Ruslan Chagaev
| ||
Vacant Title last held by Ruslan Chagaev
|
WBA heavyweight champion 30 August 2008 – 7 November 2009 |
Succeeded by | ||
Records | ||||
Preceded by | Tallest world champion 2.14 m (7 ft 0 in) 17 December 2005 – present |
Incumbent | ||
Previous: Primo Carnera vs. Tommy Loughran 84lbs |
Biggest weight disparity in a title match 86lbs vs. John Ruiz December 17, 2005 - present |
- 1973 births
- Living people
- Russian people of Tatar descent
- People from Saint Petersburg
- Sportspeople from Saint Petersburg
- World heavyweight boxing champions
- World Boxing Association champions
- Russian male actors
- United Russia politicians
- Members of the State Duma (Russian Federation)
- Russian sportsperson-politicians
- Russian male boxers
- Russian bandy executives
- Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education, Sport and Health alumni
- 21st-century Russian politicians