Comments Thread For: Reluctant Beast: Fifteen years ago, Nikolai Valuev stepped over the top rope for the last time

Fury/Valuev would have been probably the "biggest" (in a literal sense) fight you could make where the actual skill level is still legit rather than it just being a freakshow.

Pretty good times, although they would've been hugely improved by the Saudis being around. After Haye–Wladimir fell through, Haye–Vitali was the fight everyone really wanted. Valuev was just the novelty consolation prize. Apologies, I was referring to the good times as the stag do and the 12th round when Valuev was rocked by Haye

Why did he retire when he did? He could have went on Bad knees he said at the time. Not surprising, considering his weight.

Peoples memory fade fast. He was the worst champion in any division when he was active, and perhaps the worst HW champion ever. Bad movement, bad boxer, and little power. Got his ass beat by a 46-year old Hollyfield and robbed a bunch of other guys in Germany.

Why did he retire when he did? He could have went on

I remember watching him but didn't think he was anything special besides having size. He was a big dude...

I watched the Haye vs Valuev fight in a bar in Dublin on a stag do. Nobody else in the bar was paying attention when Haye rocked Valuev in the 12th, I leapt out of my seat. Very good times. Pretty good times, although they would've been hugely improved by the Saudis being around. After Haye–Wladimir fell through, Haye–Vitali was the fight everyone really wanted. Valuev was just the novelty consolation prize.

I watched the Haye vs Valuev fight in a bar in Dublin on a stag do. Nobody else in the bar was paying attention when Haye rocked Valuev in the 12th, I leapt out of my seat. Very good times.

I agree, he was an awesome fighter