Ruslan Chagaev vs. Carl Davis Drumond on PPV

[The Hammer]

From fight news:

Integrated Sports will distribute “The Champion Returns” show, featuring WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan “White Tyson” Chagaev against unbeaten challenger Carl Davis Drumond, February 7th on pay-per-view in the United States live from Rostock, Germany. “The Champion Returns” card, presented by Universum Boxing-Promotion, will also feature on PPV the WBA light welterweight title fight between title holder Andreas Kotelnik and undefeated No. 1 contender Marcos Rene “El Chino” Maidana, as well as hot Russian prospect Denis Boytsov against a challenger to be determined for the vacant WBA Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship.

The problem is we'll likely have Al Bernstein, who has made evident in the past that he doesn't like European fighters, doing the commentary. Three fighters I like (Chagaev, Kotelnik and especially Boytsov) make the PPV worth buying for sure, but I would bet my life Bernstein will discredit their performances as he always does. He'll say their opponents were robbed by the judges, or say the ref, if he calls a foul, is helping the European fighter. He'll say the European has a size disadvantage, or he'll go on about their opponents lack of amateur experience, and so on like he always does.

I thought it was almost funny after Abraham stopped Miranda last June, how Bernstein said "two of the three judges had Miranda ahead on the scorecards!" - he just had to put a negative slant on it. Bernstein always roots against the European boxer.

[sparked_85]

cool, I just asked what Chagaev was up to on another thread.

Never heard of Drummond.

[Jim Jeffries]

Does Chagaev still have his title, or does Valuev have it? I'm confused. Since this fight is being billed as for the WBA HW title.

And Chagaev has Hepatitis, doesn't he? I'm guessing that's why he's not fighting very often, or why he's not as strong later in fights.

[The Hammer]

Does Chagaev still have his title, or does Valuev have it? I'm confused. Since this fight is being billed as for the WBA HW title.

And Chagaev has Hepatitis, doesn't he? I'm guessing that's why he's not fighting very often, or why he's not as strong later in fights.

Ruslan has a "Champion in Recess" title, something like an emeritus title.

Chagaev recovered from his Hep B by the end of 2007, but may be a little permanently weakened by it. He didn't seem to have the same stamina and energy in the late rounds against Skelton, as he did against Valuev.

[sparked_85]

Ruslan has a "Champion in Recess" title, something like an emeritus title.

Chagaev recovered from his Hep B by the end of 2007, but may be a little permanently weakened by it. He didn't seem to have the same stamina and energy in the late rounds against Skelton, as he did against Valuev.

I thought he did alright in the later rounds against Skelton.

Skelton is a very well conditioned fighter and he was treading water at the end of that fight. Chagaev was the fresher imo.

Also: Skelton would make Ali look bad. Chagaev ruined him in close at times.

[The Hammer]

I thought he did alright in the later rounds against Skelton.

Skelton is a very well conditioned fighter and he was treading water at the end of that fight. Chagaev was the fresher imo.

Also: Skelton would make Ali look bad. Chagaev ruined him in close at times.

I hope you're right about that.

I hate the idea of a fighter's potential being ruined by hepatitis.

[Derranged_]

Anyone interested in this fight? I'm bored with all the Mosley-Margarito threads in the past 48 hours and think everything's been said that needs to be said about it.

I've never seen Drumond in action before but am looking forward to Ruslan's return to the ring after a one year layoff. Thoughts/opinions?..

[jcarr71]

This is the good kind of PPV that I love when it comes available. No other US tv outlets will air it so they will put it up for people to buy if they want to (and probably at a loss) for the fans and to build potential future fans. Hell if I'll spend money on a mismatch card, but now these will be available for download and I'll be able to watch the card from an American perspective. Awesome.

[The Hammer]

Drumond is a strong puncher but has limited skills - a heavyweight version of Zuniga or Miranda. He's not ranked very high because even though he's undefeated, his opposition hasn't been very good.

It will very likely be an entertaining fight, very different from the Skelton fight. The rusty Chagaev has to be careful with this guy.

[The Hammer]

Looks like it will be Sheridan instead of Bernstein doing the commentary, so I'll buy this PPV if it's available in my area.

From *********:

WBA heavyweight champion in recess Ruslan “White Tyson” Chagaev has all of his boxing ducks, so to speak, lined up in a row but first he has to get past unbeaten #10 rated Carl Davis Drumond in the 12-round main event February 7, headlining “The Champion Returns” in Rostock, Germany. “[After defeating Drumond], I will show who the real champ is by beating Valuev for the second time,” Chagaev said from his training camp in Hamburg. “Then I want to unify all of the belts. I want to fight the Klitschkos. I respect them for what they’ve reached in the heavyweight division, but I know them very well and I can beat them. 2009 will be my year.”

Regarding Drumond, Chagaev stated, “It’s been one year since my last fight (win by 12-round decision against 21-1 Matt Skelton), so I am very motivated for this fight. From now on I want to have fight after fight; I can’t wait for the next tasks. First, I will beat Drumond. He is a strong man and I must be careful. But he wants to knock me out? That’s a joke, isn’t it? Nobody can knock me out. Sorry, Carl. This fight will be a big surprise for you.”

“The Champion Returns” card, presented by Universum Boxing-Promotion, will broadcast three 12-round bouts. Integrated Sports is distributing it in the United States for live viewing at 2 PM/ET - 11 AM/PT on cable pay-per-view via iN Demand and TVN for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. A same day replay will be shown at 9 PM/ET - 6 PM/ET. The event will also be available in Canada on TSN. Hall of Fame announcer Col. Bob Sheridan will handle blow-by-blow duties and Benny Ricardo, former NFL placekicker, will serve as color commentator.

2000 Uzbekistan Olympian Chagaev (24-0-1, 17 KOs), captured the WBA crown on April 14, 2007 by 12-round decision against Nikolai Valuev (46-0). However, an Achilles tendon injury prevented Chagaev from defending his title last year against Valuev and the WBA regulated Ruslan to its “Champion in Recess.”

WBA #10 rated Drumond (26-0, 20 KOs), promoted by Warriors Seminole Boxing, is a boxing mystery outside of fan in his native Costa Rica. His most notable win to date was in 2007, when he won a 10-round decision against former world champion Kelvin Davis.

* * *

WBA light welterweight champion Andreas Kotelnik defends his title belt versus unbeaten Argentinean knockout artist Marcos Rene “El Chino” Maidana, the WBA #1 contender, in the 12-round co-feature. Styles make fights and Kotelnik-Maidana shapes-up as a potential classic featuring a pure boxer, Kotelnik (30-2-1, 13 KOs), against a dangerous power puncher, Maidana (25-0, 24 KOs).

* * *

Undefeated Russian heavyweight Denis Boytsov (23-0, 18 KOs), fighting out of Germany, meets Puerto Rican veteran Israel “King Kong” Garcia (19-2, 11 KOs) in a 12-round bout for the WBA Intercontinental title. The 22-year-old Boytsov, rated #11 by the WBA, is the latest prospect in a long line of Russian heavyweight contenders.