Valuev was very decent heavyweight, unstoppable. He had some nice wins, John Ruiz 2x, Barrett, old version Holyfield. I felt Holyfield was robbed than, but it was a close fight and close fights go to champs. Valuev was WBA champ from 2005 -2007 and 2008 -2009. Ok, he lost to Haye and Chagaev and Wladimir beat both, but still, I wonder how would Valuev - Wladimir fight look like.
Valuev needed a gift agaisnt a near 50 year old holyfield ffs. The only reason it would vaguely interesting is to see whether they could put the big sasquatch to sleep.
Valuev wasnt really much good, so they would likely have won, though a tough test for either.
Thats said theres sizeable chance of him winning too, and Vitali was either retired at the time or getting a bit old to forever be Wlad's emergency rematch firefighter. If Wlad got KOed again, he would have had an impossible hill rebuilding his career above euro level.
Game over for the Klitschkos. Bad idea taking a risky fight.
The best valuev fight was vs Ruiz...only cuz of stoney’s in ring antics after the fight. Other than that he was pretty well **** too watch. Either klit beats him.
Larry Donald was robbed against Valuev as well. I think Valuev is getting destroyed by the Klitschko brothers. Wladimir-Valuev is probably
an interesting fight at the time though given how vulnerable so many people considered him to be.
Agreed ruiz even had some really close fights with valuev some think he won too .
Wasnt it a political reason why Valuev vs Klitschkos didnt happen?
Nah, the Vitali fight was close to happening, K2 offered him $2.5 million dollars at one point but Valuev wanted $4 million.. after his lost the title. There just wasn't enough money to make that fight, as they don't do PPV in Germany.
Valuev being promoted by Don King surely didn't help.
Larry Donald was robbed against Valuev as well. I think Valuev is getting destroyed by the Klitschko brothers. Wladimir-Valuev is probably
an interesting fight at the time though given how vulnerable so many people considered him to be.
I think you’re right about him being destroyed. Wlad size and athleticism would really trouble him. I see it similar to his performance vs Wach.
Either one EASILY beats Valuev. Other than size, Valuev really didn't have much else. Wasn't fast, wasn't powerful, wasn't coordinated, didn't have a high work rate.