By Mark Vester
Ruslan Chagaev (24-0, 17KOs), the WBA “champion in recess,” will finally return to the ring on February 7 in Rostock, Germany against Carl Davis Drumond (26-0, 20KOs) of Costa Rica.
Drumond's record looks good on the outside, but he's fought almost every single bout in Costa Rica and his resume is suspect with the type of opponents he beat. Chagaev last fought in January, retaining his title against British heavyweight Matt Skelton. He was scheduled to fight mandatory Nikolai Valuev in a rematch and the fight was postponed twice after Chagaev fell ill and then became injured.
Because of Chagaev's physical status, the WBA was forced to make him a “champion in recess” and allowed Valuev and John Ruiz to fight for the regular WBA title, which Valuev won by decision in August. Valuev defends against Evander Holyfield on December 20. Chagaev and Valuev [if he beats Holyfield] were told by the WBA to fight before the end of June.
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