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The WBA will make a decision about the cancelled title fight between heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev and “champion in recess” Ruslan Chagaev in seven days. The fight was called off on late Friday evening because Chagaev could not fulfill the local medical requirements. “We are now waiting for the WBA´s decision,” Sauerland Event General Manager Chris Meyer said. “Of course Nikolai Valuev is the WBA heavyweight champion. Once again it showed that health-wise Ruslan Chagaev is not able to fight for the world title.” [details]
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According to Universum Chagaev has suffered from the infection for several years and that it has been known by Valuev's Sauerland stable. With that in mind it's pretty odd that the cancellation comes at the last minute.
Why didn't Sauerland ask for blood-samples in advance?
Has the disease suddenly turned worse to a degree where the finnish boxing commision has to make the cancellation?
Something about this whole affair has a foul smell. Sauerland has interest in Valuev being crowned champion for obvious reasons, while Universum has interest in downplaying the illness.
A lot of investigating has to be done as this fiasco has fielded numerous questions. -
this **** is so dodgy, so many questions about the whole fiascoComment
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Yes.
I think it's possible that this cancellation is just a ***** trick by Valuev and Sauerland to try to get the title without a fight. If Chagaev has the Hep B antibody, like Akinwande and lots of other fighters, he's not contagious.
You raise a good point: why did they wait so long to pull out if they knew Ruslan had Hep B?
One in three people in the world have had Hepatitis B. It's a common virus, not like AIDS or Hep C. Over 90% of people completely recover and are not contagious.Comment
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It's a total joke of a call off.Comment
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Too much bumming.Comment
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According to Universum Chagaev's blood value has been stable for years. Both the german federation, WBA and Dr. Walter Wagner who's used in all Sauerland events, had all declared Chagaev ready to go.Yes.
I think it's possible that this cancellation is just a ***** trick by Valuev and Sauerland to try to get the title without a fight. If Chagaev has the Hep B antibody, like Akinwande and lots of other fighters, he's not contagious.
You raise a good point: why did they wait so long to pull out if they knew Ruslan had Hep B?
One in three people in the world have had Hepatitis B. It's a common virus, not like AIDS or Hep C. Over 90% of people completely recover and are not contagious.
Sometimes proboxing is such a shady business.Comment
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The thing that puzzles me most about this is, the promoters' lack of foresight and a contingency plan. Isn't standard practice to have a backup replacement, in case one of the fighters backs out? And especially in Chagaev's case, where he has a history of backing out of fights?..
I remember a few years back when Shannon Briggs fought Sultan Ibragimov for the WBO title, the promoters had Calvin Brock waiting in the wings as a replacement. The promoters were so concerned that Briggs would pull out (at the last minute) they had Brock fight after the main event...Comment
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brewster shouldve jumped at it.did he see the Holyfield fight? Brewster is powerful & could have taken a risk & jumped on valuev like he did to golota & I'm sure he could have knocked out valuev.crazy as it sounds but brewster said he wanted a wlad trilogy,well there went his chance.if he fought valuev he makes a million & if he wins he sets up unification for 3 belts with wlad & early 2010 fights vitali...wishful thinking! I like brewster but I believe he dropped the ball on that opportunity.I read he was offered the fight first.Comment
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