Valuev's Marketability in North America

I read that King got options on Valuev's next two fights. I strongly believe that King wanted to lose Ruiz because his marketability was approaching 0 in the US and knew that Ruiz will not win on points and most likely could not KO Valuev. All in all, I think that we will see Valuev in the US pretty soon. That said, it would be really weird to see Valuev unify the belts. I believe that Wlad or Brewster would KO him, Toney would UD him, he could possibly win over Rahman and Byrd. Bozo, did you see the fight? Yes King has options on Valuev. So i can only agree with you that the smile on Kings face while waving the Russian flag means that King think Valuev a couple of Valuev fights can bring more then the rest of Ruiz career. I think so too at least for a few fights (till he loses). Because as we have allready seen he can generate headlines just because of his looks. And on another note i had it 114-114 but it could have gone either way since some of the rounds were close.

I think Valuev will raise interest in the sport amongst the mainstream. The article on the 'Russian Beast' was the most read article on 'The Age' website - a Melbourne based newspaper (usually read by the more straight laced among the population). People want the abnormal, and you're getting it with Valuev.

he's going to scare the kids.....

Watching a guy box someone who is over a foot taller than him will be something to see. Atleast Toney wont have to worry about much of a weight advantage...

Yes, I had it 115-114 Ruiz. I had it 115-113 Ruiz. I guess Ruiz got a taste of his own medicine this time.

Bozo, did you see the fight? Yes, I had it 115-114 Ruiz.

Politics of the decision aside, What do you think the response will be to a marketing campaign with Valuev introduced to an American audience? If King were to put Valuev in with someone like Golota in Vegas and bill it to the casual fans who may not be familar with him as a "Giant" now on the Heavyweght scene, does it boost the populary and interest in the Heavyweight division? I had wondered about Kings interest in the outcome of this fight thinking he maybe felt Valuev's freakish size might = a cash cow. If Toney beats Rahman like he should, imagine all the David and Goliath non sense he could muster in that match up. I read that King got options on Valuev's next two fights. I strongly believe that King wanted to lose Ruiz because his marketability was approaching 0 in the US and knew that Ruiz will not win on points and most likely could not KO Valuev. All in all, I think that we will see Valuev in the US pretty soon. That said, it would be really weird to see Valuev unify the belts. I believe that Wlad or Brewster would KO him, Toney would UD him, he could possibly win over Rahman and Byrd. Bozo, did you see the fight?

If Valuev were knocking guys out, like he should, then he'd have a little more marketability then he has now. You'd think that a guy who's over 7 feet tall and over 300 lbs and with a huge reach advantage, would knock more of his opponents out. its all about punch technique he slaps a little just like McCline

if valuev is going to come to america he needs to do something about all that back hair.... good grief what an animal Hmmm, didn't know we had girlymen in a boxing forum worried about how men look instead of how they fight. Brad Pitt must be the best fighter and your bedroom poster theme, eh?

Well there was a time when champion fights went 15-20+ rounds and Valuev would have Knocked Out Ruiz within that number of rounds. Reality of it is that he did not KO Ruiz and fights are 12 rounds. I agree that it would be shocking if Valuev beat Klitschko but I think it is possible if you watched Corrie Sanders, Lamon Brewster, and Ross Purity dispatch him with relative ease.

He's a bigger sex symbol than De La Hoya and Jones combined. Of course he'll make it. if valuev is going to come to america he needs to do something about all that back hair.... good grief what an animal

I think that if Valuev can actually win by KO (unlikely in 12 rnds), UD or even these MD over some of the top heavyweight names (Byrd, Klitschko, Toney etc..) and expose them as not even as good as Valuev is than he will get recognition. Unification of the Heavyweight Titles in one Man is what we need a for the Heavyweight Champion of the World. Can Valuev do this ? Well if Golata is win #44 so be it and on from there. if nicolai valuev ever beats wladamir klitschko ill cut off my dick and balls and sell them all to science and take the money i get and give it to the salvation army. how can you say valueve can score a KO then back it up by saying "unlikely in 12 rounds" championship fights dont get any shorter or longer than that.

He's a bigger sex symbol than De La Hoya and Jones combined. Of course he'll make it.

I think that if Valuev can actually win by KO (unlikely in 12 rnds), UD or even these MD over some of the top heavyweight names (Byrd, Klitschko, Toney etc..) and expose them as not even as good as Valuev is than he will get recognition. Unification of the Heavyweight Titles in one Man is what we need a for the Heavyweight Champion of the World. Can Valuev do this ? Well if Golata is win #44 so be it and on from there.

I had Ruiz ahead by a round, but again, I'm not asking with regard to his ability or based on what happened tonight. I'm asking about King's motives, and if anyone thinks Valuev can sell tickets and PPV's to casual and new fans in North America based on his freakish size, and with consideration to the general disinterest in Heavweight boxing in North American sports at present. honestly, people will be initialy curious about valuev, they will watch one fight, see how boring it is, and that will be the end of valuev in america.... maybe if this guy was a vicious monster people would like it but seriously who wants to see a 7-1 330 pound man controlling the division without ever knocking anyone out and holding onto his belt via consistently bogus decisions. please god somebody also tell me what andrew golota has done to deserve another title shot...

Politics of the decision aside, What do you think the response will be to a marketing campaign with Valuev introduced to an American audience? If King were to put Valuev in with someone like Golota in Vegas and bill it to the casual fans who may not be familar with him as a "Giant" now on the Heavyweght scene, does it boost the populary and interest in the Heavyweight division? I had wondered about Kings interest in the outcome of this fight thinking he maybe felt Valuev's freakish size might = a cash cow. If Toney beats Rahman like he should, imagine all the David and Goliath non sense he could muster in that match up. If Valuev were knocking guys out, like he should, then he'd have a little more marketability then he has now. You'd think that a guy who's over 7 feet tall and over 300 lbs and with a huge reach advantage, would knock more of his opponents out.

You got to be a fucking retard if you think this Russian has no marketability in the USA. The fact that he has the title, but more so the very size of the guy means he can make an absolute mint in the USA. FFS, this is fucking America. Anything is possible there. The land of opportunity. With Don King at your side (whether you love King or hate him is irrelevant), King is one of the most powerful boxing promoters and one the most recognisble men in America, Valuev can have America it his feet. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't end up in a brief stint on WWE or a cameo in a Hollywood movie playing a bodyguard or something.

If there is anything I have ever learned from watching fighting sports is that there will always be an audiance for guys that are freakishly big. If basketball fans can have a place in their hearts for a Manute Bol or a Georghe Murisan, fighting fans can have a place for Valuev. In K1 there are already marginally competiant guys that are 7 feet tall or slightly smaller. Schilt, Choi, and Nortje are all 6'11 or taller and they are marginally competant, just like our boy Valuev. People watch them for their size, not their technique or their personality.

King was all over Valuev, smiling, talking about bringing him to America. I'm sure he has a promotional agreement with Sauerland and I can see matching Valuev against Toney after Toney loses to Rahman in a David/Goliath promotion, though it's hard to imagine anyone casting an ugly foul mouthed tub of lard like Toney as David. No, Golota is too dangerous to match against Valuev. Probably his first defense is gonna be someone like Saul Montana, hoping that Valuev will have a KO defense going into the fight against squat looser Toney on his deathbed in his last attempt at greatness. FightNews ranks Valuev #2 now, ahead of TONEY because Valuev has whoooped better fighters than Toney!

I think Don King had this planned all along. No one wants to see Ruiz his style is not entertaining. Im sure Don has some options with valuev now. Imagine this monster in the US in a heavyweight tournament. Weather or not Valuev fights in the states, i think King will make money off him, because he will be a big draw in europe. On a side note i dont think King will get his tournament together any time soon. I think Byrd is refusing to be part of it, and Rahman is no longer under Kings control is now being promoted by Top Rank.