Ruslan Chagaev - Just read something on him

[kayjay]

PS. a fight with Peter would be very interesting.
Think that Peter's greater experience & size gives him the edge, but not by much.
Would edge Chagaev on skills, & power's a toss-up.
One of the best heavyweight matchup's out there.

Are you serious? I've not seen him, so I'm not being rhetorical.

[BrooklynBomber]

Chagaev beat Felix Savon in 1997, when he was 19.

[potatoes]

Chagaev had a long hard struggle with Ruiz. As it happens Ruiz came to fight and did a bit more than his usual kissing and hugging. Chagaev was not prepared to deal with it, and had no idea how to exploit Ruiz's weaknesses. Although he puts up a good effort, Chagaev lacks a certain finesse one would expect from a true champion. He couldn't make his physical style work against Ruiz and he sure as hell ain't gonna make it work against Valuev. So unless Chagaev has made a dramatic improvement in his boxing skills, I am expecting him to go the distance but lose on points.

Here he is struggling in the last two rounds against Ruiz:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LlRTNQDLWgI

[!! Mr. Soprano]

I think he is deff a good contender and he is improving...

His only DRAW was against a seasoned veteran Rob Calloway who was 43-3-0 and that was in Chagaev's 6th pro fight.

Chagaev came back a little over 3 years later and Knocked the fool out in 2 rounds.

I just wish he was given more opportunities than to go against the Giant. I don't want to see him being dismissed if he loses.

I'd like to see him fight Ibragimov, Peter, or Brewster.. but it seems like all 4 of them are going for the belts..

[STEELHEAD]

chagaev has an impressive amatuer record. and has beat an improved ruiz who gave valuev a hard time.

he's built like a buick.and a lefty.

one of the posters talked about chagaev using the croutching tecknic against the giant. thats what toney did succesfully against ruiz.

ruiz lost by an MD over there against valuev( i say ruiz won). maybe the judges will be more intuned with chagaev since he's close to being a russian.
maybe he could pull off a points upset.
euro sportsbooks has ruslan at +271. which is closer than i supposed. maybe they know something.

soprano i've seen vid clips of ibragimov and he's just a clubfighter. same with peter but because of the pathetic hvywt division these second tier guys are considered contenders. and the klits are back... but thats all we have.
chagaev could beat both these guys imo.

[macman]

Here's rounds 3&4 of the Ruiz bout with Chagaev clearly edging, although Ruiz has his moments, especially in the 4th.
Ruslan Chagaev - John Ruiz round 3-4

http://youtube.com/watch?v=FVFah1Vxnxo

Suprisingly good fight, & agree that Chagaev is a little suprised on how willing Ruiz is, probably expecting to wear down a reluctant Ruiz then not having a plan B when Ruiz keeps hammering back, as well as being suprisingly effective on the inside.
Experience playing a part as well, with Ruiz doing a lot of cagy veteran stuff
- lots of little shoves then throwing quick shots when Chagaev's off-balance, pulling the head down, hold & hit while the referee's on the other side, charge in & clinch with one hand while throwing with the other, lots of slick head & body moves, especially in close, etc.
Good lesson for Chagaev, & thought for the most part he passed, albiet narrowly.


Here's Chagaev against an overmatched Rob Calloway, though it should be noted Calloway has 70 odd fights with about 60 wins, although against pretty limited opposition, & went 10 with Jameel McCline a couple of fights after being blasted out on this one.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bWFQ_QLWuRA

This one should give you an idea of Chagaev's power. Still a little raw in his early bouts, but he was knocking out a lot of reasonably seasoned jouneymen who were known for their durability.

RUSLAN CHAGAEV KNOCK OUTS

http://youtube.com/watch?v=br4vmwM8yYw

CHAGAEV BRUTAL KNOCK OUT

http://youtube.com/watch?v=V0Km6Ak_He0