Ruslan Chagaev: record, next fight and profile →
Universum Promotions have confirmed the departure of former WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev. The two sides agreed to terminate his contract. It was reported that Chagaev would secure a position on the Felix Sturm-Daniel Geale undercard on September 1 in Germany, but not according to Universum. The promotional company states that Chagaev still owes them a fight and they intend to use him on a planned September event in Moscow.
First former WBC champion Sebastian Zbik threatened Universum with legal action after not being paid for his recent loss against WBA super champ Felix Sturm. Now, WBA "regular" super middleweight ruler Karoly Balzsay have join the club and told media in Hungary that he would take legal action against Universum for not being paid for the fight against Dimitri Sartison. Some sources even claim that Universum owes Balzsay money for the fight against Stas Kashtanov as well.
Several fighters under the Universum promotional banner are stunned with the news that head coach Michael Timm is leaving the company. The 49-year-old coach started working with Universum in September 1997, and helped groom boxers like Ruslan Chagaev, Jürgen Braehmer, Felix Sturm, Ina Menzer and others.
In a classifed textbook stinker, WBO #11 and WBC #15 featherweight Marcel Meyerdirks (22-0, 5 KOs) continued his reign of slumber with a hard-fought but uniquely dull twelve-round decision over barely capable Argentinean opponent Santiago Allione (19-8-1, 7 KOs).
Universum has now confirmed the heavyweight clash between Ruslan Chagaev and Billy Zumbrun, that BoxingScene.com reported this past weekend, and the fight is scheduled for eight. Also confirmed is Rakhim Chakhkiev vs. Jaidon Codrington in a cruiserweight fight scheduled for ten.
The fight is not officially confirmed but the word going around is that former WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev, 28-2-1, will take on American veteran Billy "The Kid" Zumbrun, 25-12, in a non-title encounter on Saturday, April 21st, in Schwerin on Universum´s big show headed by Balzsay vs. Sartison.
Universum announced the main fights for their "Fight Night" card, scheduled for April 21 at the Messe-und Kongresshalle in Schwerin.
Universum´s big show in Hamburg, set for January 28, is coming together. The opponents have been set for undefeated Dennis Boytsov (29-0, 24KOs), a hard-punching and talented boxer but apparently injury prone, and former WBA champion Ruslan Chagaev (27-2-1, 17KOs).
Former WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev (27-2, 17KOs)wants to gain another world championship opportunity by the end of 2012. With only a single ring appearance in 2011, a decision loss to Alexander Povetkin, Chagaev wants a slow build to another shot. He wants to stay very active and work his way to a new title challenge. Chagaev, 33-years-old, returns on January 28th in Hamburg, Germany.
Universum is planning a huge card on the 28th of January at the 5-star luxury hotel Grand Elysee in Moorweide, Hamburg. On the card will be several returns, including former WBO light heavyweight champion Jurgen Bräehmer (36-2, 29KOs) who returns from an 18 month layoff. Also cruiserweight world champion Firat Arslan (31-5-1, 20KOs). Heavyweight hope Denis Boytsov (29 0, 24KOs) will be in actiona, Olympic cruiserweight Rakhim Chakhkiev (11 0, 9KOs) and former heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev (27-2-1, 17KOs) will return for the first time since the decision loss to Alexander Povetkin.