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By Cliff Rold - With nasty trash talk, reputations for big power, and shaky chins in opposing corners, this Saturday was supposed to promise a chance to see one of those rare human bouncing ball Heavyweight fights. The thought of a fight in the spirit of George Foreman-Ron Lyle or Michael Moorer-Bert Cooper wasn’t farfetched when considering the strengths and weaknesses of Wladimir Klitschko and former World Cruiserweight champion David Haye.
It was the first announced Heavyweight fight in years which actually seemed to spur some fan imaginings. Unfortunately, imaginations are where the showdown remains for now. Training injuries suffered by Haye left Klitschko with an open dance card on short notice.
Luckily for him, and maybe even for boxing fans, WBA titlist (in recess or whatever they are calling it right now; their belt is not on the line anyways) Ruslan Chagaev happened to be available. Strict medical requirements in Finland and history with Hepatitis B brought the curtain down on a rematch between Chagaev and the man he’d easily outboxed to win his belt, 7’1 Nicolay Valuev. The rematch had been scheduled only a few weeks before Klitschko-Haye was to take place and, already in shape, Chagaev was available and proven able to fight already under German medical standards. [details]
It was the first announced Heavyweight fight in years which actually seemed to spur some fan imaginings. Unfortunately, imaginations are where the showdown remains for now. Training injuries suffered by Haye left Klitschko with an open dance card on short notice.
Luckily for him, and maybe even for boxing fans, WBA titlist (in recess or whatever they are calling it right now; their belt is not on the line anyways) Ruslan Chagaev happened to be available. Strict medical requirements in Finland and history with Hepatitis B brought the curtain down on a rematch between Chagaev and the man he’d easily outboxed to win his belt, 7’1 Nicolay Valuev. The rematch had been scheduled only a few weeks before Klitschko-Haye was to take place and, already in shape, Chagaev was available and proven able to fight already under German medical standards. [details]