Valuev agrees to fight Klitschko, but wants part of TV rights
March 5th, 2010
By Erik Schmidt: Former WBA heavyweight champion Nikolay Valuev (50-2, 34 KO’s) is willing to take the fight with World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (39-2, 37 KO’s) for the $2.5 million that he’s offering him, according to German news outlet Bild. Valuev says “Yes, I want to box against Vitali. This is an interesting battle for boxing fans, who have been waiting for it for several years. Last night, I called my manager Don King. The Klitschko side has offered us $2.5 million. We accept this proposal. But we also want money from the TV rights in the U.S. and Russia.”
It’s now up to Klitschko and his team to decide whether it’s worth it to give part of the TV rights to Valuev for this fight. Valuev doesn’t have a lot of options besides Haye and Klitschko, but then again Klitschko doesn’t have a lot of other opponents to fight either. He’s looking at a potential big money fight later in 2010 against Haye if he can get by his mandatory title defense against John Ruiz in April, and then following that Klitschko says he wants to retire from boxing.
Fights against Valuev and Haye, both big money fights, would be a perfect way for Klitschko to retire unless another fighter like Lennox Lewis or Mike Tyson come out of retirement and show interest in fighting Klitschko.
Tags: 12 Responses to “Valuev agrees to fight Klitschko, but wants part of TV rights”
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Go easy on Valuev. He seems to me like someone who actually enjoys the sport. He’s not in the same class as the Klitschkos, and I suspected he would come off second best against Haye just by vurtue of his lake of mobility and speed – and if the judges weren’t honest, they would realise that there is more potential in getting Haye to the top to fight Vit or Wlad. I have seen quotes from big Nic’ saying he is still learning…I like the guy. I wonder how he would apporach a rematch with Haye?
this is a bad fight for valuev…he should retire…because of his ‘giantism’ he is way beyond 36 years old physically…they do not live to be very old…valuev could get seriously hurt in this fight…every fighter looks bad against a slick defensive fighter who refuses to fight back…jimmy young made ali look terrible by merely ducking, weaving and covering up
lefthook…lewis came in heavy because he knew it was going to be a fight not a boxing match…2ndly vitali was very green in big fights….experience-wise lewis has the advantages…vitali took the fight on short notice, not lewis…and was extremely winded after 3 rounds…the bottom line is lewis ducked the rematch after promising and his own trainer said in ring magazine that lewis retired to avoid vitali….do you need more than that?…that takes lewis out of contention for top 5 on the all time list…would ali or holmes have ducked a rematch with vitali?…of course they wouldnt have been losing to him either
Mr Lefthook
Lennox Lewis retired after the Vitali fight. He was losing on points also in that fight. After the fight, Vitali challenged Lewis to a rematch. Lewis retired because he knew that he would not be able to beat Vitali. It doesnt take rocket science to figure that one out. If Vitali has fought fatties, who has Haye fought?
valuev to shock the world with dazzling foot work, ali shuffle and 2nd rd ko. maybe not.
as for me, im pulling for the upset. vitali looked beyond mediocre and frustrated when he fought the green, feather-fisted johnson. i think valuev can edge out an uneventful SD victory
lol at all of these bitter klitschko fanboys still complaining about lennox lewis goring vitali. GET THE F**K over it already! sheesh it happened 6 years ago now going on 7. put the past behind you, vitali couldnt beat a faded, out of shape champion and thats that. be happy that vitali is beating a bunch of fatties:)
Vitali has been looking old latly but will still take Valuev
lewis is as shot as tyson now days plus lewis scared of vitali & knows he would get badly hurt, vitali wins against valuev. should be a decent fight..
I think Valuev should grab this fight with Klitchko.Two and a half million is more money than he was ever paid before.He never got that much as champion.With Don King in his corner its not surprising he wants tv money too,reckon thats King talking.Valuev would be mad to price himself out of this fight.Against Haye,Valuev looked a plodding fighter,no imagination,no plan b.Round after round he just plodded forward,Haye had no trouble getting out of his way.Valuev hasn’t fought since and he gets handed this fight on a plate.Take it Nic,Christmas is coming early for you.
Valuev’s talent does NOT merrit this kind of money,only his size does! This fight could be interesting as both guys are pretty slow but Vitali hits much harder in his own awekward way. I see an entertaining fight for as long as it lasts.
Valuev finally realized he cant get a third of the offer from Vitali by fighting anyone else. Its not like Valuev is a big name or on a big streak, he just lost his last fight. This is Valuev’s only chance to get over 2 million for one fight. There is no excuse for him to back out because he wants tv rights. Its not like anyone expects him to beat Vitali so his stock won’t drop no matter how badly he gets beaten.