By William Mackay: 33-year-old former WBA World heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev (29-2-1, 18 KO’s) will be back in the ring on Saturday night against an opponent still to be determined at the Koenig Pilsener Arena, Oberhausen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany in an eight round bout. It’s usual for a fighter as well known as Chagaev to still not have an opponent ironed out as he enters the week of the fight.

It’s not exactly fair to Chagaev nor his opponent that ultimately gets selected for him. It’s obviously going to be someone especially weak because they’re not going to risk Chagaev against anyone halfway decent without giving him a lot of time to properly prepare for the fighter.

Chagaev has been fighting tune-ups for the past year since losing a 12 round decision to Alexander Povetkin in a fight for the vacant WBA World heavyweight title last year in September. Chagaev didn’t have the size or the work rate to hang with Povetkin and that’s what cost him the fight. Since losing to Povetkin, Chagaev has beaten Kertson Manswell by an eight round unanimous decision and journeyman Billy Zumbrun by a 3rd round TKO last April.

Chagaev can’t blow it because the Fury fight will give him a nice little payday in a fight that will likely take place in the UK somewhere. Chagadv will be giving away 10 inches in height and 11 inches in reach to Fury when/if that time comes. That doesn’t mean he’ll lose, but it’s going to be tough on Chagaev unless he can get on the inside and land one of his hard left hooks on Fury’s vulnerable chin.

Chagaev used to be one of the best heavyweights in the division in 2007. However, the division has improved a lot since then and he’s gotten older. Chagaev seems to be a gatekeeper type of fighter now, because he’s not going to beat any of the world champions, not at his size.