Nikolai Valuev will fight John Ruiz for the vacant WBA heavyweight title before August 31. After Ruslan Chagaev pulled out of his mandatory defence against the Russian Giant for the second time in a row, the WBA decided in Buenos Aires on Thursday that the two ex-champions will face each other. “We wanted Nikolai Valuev to fight for the title as soon as possible,” Sauerland managing director Chris Meyer said. “We consider the WBA`s decision a big success.”
The representatives of both fighters will have until July 15 to find a solution as to who will stage the fight. Should they fail to reach an agreement, a purse bid will be called. “Of course it is our goal to stage this attractive fight in Germany,” Meyer stated.
It will be the second meeting of Valuev, the WBA`s top-ranked fighter, and John Ruiz (#2), who clashed in Berlin in December 2005. Back then, the Russian Giant clinched a close points victory to become the biggest and tallest boxing champion of all time.
After rupturing his Achilles tendon last week, Chagaev was forced to cancel the title fight against Valuev, which was due to go down on July 5. Since it is uncertain when he will be fit again, the WBA gave him a special status. After overcoming his injury, Chagaev, the “champion in recess”, will be given the chance to challenge the new, regular champion until June 26th, 2009. To do so, however, he needs to document his
medical condition to the WBA.