Valuev training in Armenia!
WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev left his hometown of St. Petersburg, Russia today to head to Armenia where he and his trainer Manuel Gabrielian will begin a a 3-week long training camp. The first ever Russian heavyweight world champion will defend his title probably in October in the USA. Venue and opponent are not certain yet.
Valuev last defended his WBA belt at the beginning of June against Owen Beck in Hannover, Germany. The 320-pounder won by third round KO. "Afterwards I stayed in Germany a few more weeks because of the World Cup tournament," said the biggest and heaviest boxing champion ever. "A short vacation with my wife Galina and my son Grischa followed. That was very restful. Since the end of July, I am again training and concentrating fully on the next fight."
The training camp is located in an Armenian village at an elevation of 6,500+ feet. The site has become a tradition for Valuev and Gabrielian, who hails from Armenia. "Except in deep winter we go always here," says Gabrielian. "The elevation is ideal for the basic endurance training, besides, we work here very productively and quietly, without family, press and television. This is very important for the concentration on the next fight."
Valuev is unbeaten in 44 professional fights. In the beginning, the seven-footer was considered to be more of a novelty by experts, however during the last few years Valuev has proved that he is a serious boxer. His career began in 1993 as an undercard fighter on a show headlined by Graciano Rocchigiani in Berlin and later led the Russian Giant to Japan, England, Australia, Korea and New Zealand. Valuev has boxed twice in the USA, in 1997 and 2001, both times in Atlantic City. But his opponents stood only lasted one or two rounds, and the American boxing public barely took notice of the Russian. Now, as a world champion, he wants to conquer America.
His manager Wilfried Sauerland, who made the rise of the champion possible, sees for Valuev an even bigger future. "His physique is superior, unique in the world, and also tactically and technically during the last years Niko has had a huge development. At the moment, I see nobody in the world who can beat him."
Promoter Don King, whose fighter John Ruiz lost his title to Valuev in December, will co-promote Valuev in America. "He is big, he is strong like a bear, he is the best," gushed King after Valuev's KO victory over Owen Beck. "He has improved as a boxer and hits with deadly uppercuts which we have not seen earlier. The audience in America will love him."
Valuev himself calmly awaits his big appearance in the USA. "For boxing, Germany is my home country," he says, "and I'm happy to fight here. But if my management says it makes sense to go to America, then I'll fight there. I'll box all over the world and against any opponent."
However, before the trip to America are the the rigors ahead in the heights of Armenia. Then at the end of August Valuev will head to Berlin to continue his training at the Max-Schmeling-Gym.
Looks like Valuev is a very focused fighter and dedicates himself to his work, the guy doesnt even have a fight scheduled and hes going away to train allready, thats says a lot about the guy especially these days where fighters fight 1- 2 times a year and only train 2 months or less for their fights. I like his work ethic and its the big reason why europeans have 3 out of the 4 hw belts...
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