Vitali Klitschko vs. Nikolay Valuev on May 29th – News

By Boxing News - 02/05/2010 - Comments

By Erik Schmidt: World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (39-2, 37 KO’s) is looking to put together a bout against former WBA heavyweight champion Russian Nikolay Valuev (50-2, 34 KO’s) for May 2nd, according to the latest news from the boxing world. Klitschko, 38, wants the fight to take place at the large Schalke Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

The stadium has a seating capacity of 61,000, and this is the same place where Vitali’s younger brother, IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko last fought on June 20th against Ruslan Chagaev. The younger Klitschko was supposed to be facing David Haye in that fight, but Haye bowed out with an injured back. Valuev, 36, recently lost his WBA title to Haye in November, and is eager to get back in the ring and try and get win a title.

However, Valuev’s co-promoter is asking for $4 million for a fight against Klitschko, and that’s not a number that the Klitschko management can agree to. Valuev’s other promoter Kalle Sauerland thinks that they can work out a deal to make a fight happen against Klitschko. It certainly makes sense for Valuev’s promotional company to try to make negotiate for this fight.

Valuev will likely get a good payday because this is a fight that will sell big in Europe. And it will keep Valuev busy until he gets a rematch with Haye later on down the road. At 36, Valuev appears to have slipped a notch or two in terms of his skills in the past two years. Valuev is much better off facing Klitschko for a good payday than struggling against the top contenders for low pay and probably winding up getting beaten once or twice.

Vitali Klitschko recently defeated Kevin Johnson by a lopsided 12 round decision last December. Johnson fought a purely defensive fight, staying on the ropes for most of the bout, jabbing and covering up. Still, Klitschko beat him easily and was never really tested in the fight other than taking jabs to the face every now and then.



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