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I support all fighters, even the ones I don't like personally but I think this Valuev guy is a joke and after seeing his fight with Ruiz and Donald, it is evident that he did not win those fights, and was the recipent of gift decsisions. Mr. Cliff Rold says it better than me...
THE RUSSIAN (VALUEV) CIRCUS IS ON ITS WAY
19 December, 2005 by Cliff Rold
DECISION BURNS RUIZ & GIVES GIANT WBA STRAP!
Those of you tuning in for the “24-Karat” year end picks will have to wait an extra week as events overseas demand our immediate attention. I assumed one week ago that an encounter on-paper that looked nothing short of putrid, between the now former WBA heavyweight title holder John Ruiz (41-6-1, 28 KO’S) and mandatory challenger, the 7’2” Russian Nicolay Valuev (43-0, 31 KO’S), would be worth little mention. It turns out, that what we got was “The revenge of the Schulz.” Are you not getting the reference? Allow me to explain.
AXEL SCHULZ…THE HEAVYWEIGHT KING THAT WASN’T!
Through the corrupt and criminal maneuverings of promoter Bob Arum, German heavyweight Axel Schulz was inexplicably installed as the IBF mandatory challenger to World heavyweight champion George Foreman. Their battle took place on April 22, 1995 and was to be a showcase for Foreman who had just reclaimed his title after a twenty-year absence from the throne. It didn’t go according to script, as Schulz seemed to dominate the action with slick counter punches and deft footwork. A large German crowd was shown on HBO that night standing shocked and awed by a narrow decision win for Big George. Germany since that day has become a tougher place for Americans to get a fair shake than it ever was before.
RUIZ ROBBED IN LESSON THAT WHAT GOES AROUND…
Ten years later, we have a decision so bad that perhaps it will reverse the tide back towards some political equilibrium. Like most boxing fans (and we are all fans first), I can find cause to celebrate when the typically unwatchable Ruiz loses. The events of Saturday night at the Max Schmeling Hall in Germany are no cause for celebration. Despite the scores that resulted in a majority decision for Valuev, the one thing any rational observer, including the live, loud booing crowd, could see was that John Ruiz did not lose this fight. He landed more shots, harder shots, and consistently outworked the giant challenger. He did it in all but four rounds for a 116-112 card from this observer, and he did it in a fight that was not anything like the Ruiz fights the world is used to. This fight didn’t suck.
…COMES AROUND!
For Ruiz, it is a hard pill to swallow. In perhaps his most complete performance ever, Ruiz used his jab, right hand, and bodywork, and in the process looked like a professional boxer instead of an unrefined mugger. That is not to say Valuev was without artillery. His jab was sharper than in past fights, and his looping uppercut kept Ruiz honest. He even appeared to stun the belt holder with a right hand in the 12th. For the most part though, it was Ruiz who set the tempo at a fast pace and kept the giant on his heels. The visible anguish Ruiz expressed as the decision was announced was well deserved. Ruiz stepped into the ring twice this year; once to be defeated by a man cheating with steroids (James Toney), and once to be robbed outright. In the ultimate irony it is Ruiz, a man cited as the poster child for unmerited mandatory challenger slots in 1999, who ultimately loses his belt to a man even more undeserving than he was six years ago. Ignore the giant’s record; prior to last night he had never before faced a legitimate top-ten heavyweight contender, and yet was ranked #1 by the egregious idiots that are the WBA.
RUSSIAN CIRCUS ACT WILL BE WELL PROTECTED!
With rumors swirling that Valuev will begin his reign with a defense against Henry Akinwande, who hasn’t defeated, or even faced, a top twenty (much less a top ten) heavyweight since being disqualified against Lennox Lewis in 1997. The playbook from here seems clear. Ruiz will lobby for a rematch that fan animus against him will make hard to sell. Valuev, in the meantime, will find mid-level heavyweights to test his ‘talents’ against while his handlers and promoter Don King look for a way to invade America with this Russian import. They’ll sell him as a monster for sure, but ultimately that sale will be more of the circus freak show ilk than the build-up of a must-see prizefighter. For those that lament the erosion of the line between boxing and professional wrestling, Valuev is your case study in progress.
VALUEV LOST EVERYWHERE, BUT 0N THE JUDGES CARDS!
The insult that is the build-up of Valuev is compounded by the realization that not only was he undeserving of a mandatory shot, but that he has now won two fights in a row that he appeared to lose. As bad as the Ruiz decision was, it was no worse than Valuev’s previous win over Larry Donald. What I’m trying to say, loyal readers, is that something rotten is in the air. It’s only a matter of time before Valuev hits these shores. You are forewarned from this day onward, hide your wallets no matter what you hear, and just ignore the hype. The circus is coming to town, and this ain’t no Ringling Bros.
THE RUSSIAN (VALUEV) CIRCUS IS ON ITS WAY
19 December, 2005 by Cliff Rold
DECISION BURNS RUIZ & GIVES GIANT WBA STRAP!
Those of you tuning in for the “24-Karat” year end picks will have to wait an extra week as events overseas demand our immediate attention. I assumed one week ago that an encounter on-paper that looked nothing short of putrid, between the now former WBA heavyweight title holder John Ruiz (41-6-1, 28 KO’S) and mandatory challenger, the 7’2” Russian Nicolay Valuev (43-0, 31 KO’S), would be worth little mention. It turns out, that what we got was “The revenge of the Schulz.” Are you not getting the reference? Allow me to explain.
AXEL SCHULZ…THE HEAVYWEIGHT KING THAT WASN’T!
Through the corrupt and criminal maneuverings of promoter Bob Arum, German heavyweight Axel Schulz was inexplicably installed as the IBF mandatory challenger to World heavyweight champion George Foreman. Their battle took place on April 22, 1995 and was to be a showcase for Foreman who had just reclaimed his title after a twenty-year absence from the throne. It didn’t go according to script, as Schulz seemed to dominate the action with slick counter punches and deft footwork. A large German crowd was shown on HBO that night standing shocked and awed by a narrow decision win for Big George. Germany since that day has become a tougher place for Americans to get a fair shake than it ever was before.
RUIZ ROBBED IN LESSON THAT WHAT GOES AROUND…
Ten years later, we have a decision so bad that perhaps it will reverse the tide back towards some political equilibrium. Like most boxing fans (and we are all fans first), I can find cause to celebrate when the typically unwatchable Ruiz loses. The events of Saturday night at the Max Schmeling Hall in Germany are no cause for celebration. Despite the scores that resulted in a majority decision for Valuev, the one thing any rational observer, including the live, loud booing crowd, could see was that John Ruiz did not lose this fight. He landed more shots, harder shots, and consistently outworked the giant challenger. He did it in all but four rounds for a 116-112 card from this observer, and he did it in a fight that was not anything like the Ruiz fights the world is used to. This fight didn’t suck.
…COMES AROUND!
For Ruiz, it is a hard pill to swallow. In perhaps his most complete performance ever, Ruiz used his jab, right hand, and bodywork, and in the process looked like a professional boxer instead of an unrefined mugger. That is not to say Valuev was without artillery. His jab was sharper than in past fights, and his looping uppercut kept Ruiz honest. He even appeared to stun the belt holder with a right hand in the 12th. For the most part though, it was Ruiz who set the tempo at a fast pace and kept the giant on his heels. The visible anguish Ruiz expressed as the decision was announced was well deserved. Ruiz stepped into the ring twice this year; once to be defeated by a man cheating with steroids (James Toney), and once to be robbed outright. In the ultimate irony it is Ruiz, a man cited as the poster child for unmerited mandatory challenger slots in 1999, who ultimately loses his belt to a man even more undeserving than he was six years ago. Ignore the giant’s record; prior to last night he had never before faced a legitimate top-ten heavyweight contender, and yet was ranked #1 by the egregious idiots that are the WBA.
RUSSIAN CIRCUS ACT WILL BE WELL PROTECTED!
With rumors swirling that Valuev will begin his reign with a defense against Henry Akinwande, who hasn’t defeated, or even faced, a top twenty (much less a top ten) heavyweight since being disqualified against Lennox Lewis in 1997. The playbook from here seems clear. Ruiz will lobby for a rematch that fan animus against him will make hard to sell. Valuev, in the meantime, will find mid-level heavyweights to test his ‘talents’ against while his handlers and promoter Don King look for a way to invade America with this Russian import. They’ll sell him as a monster for sure, but ultimately that sale will be more of the circus freak show ilk than the build-up of a must-see prizefighter. For those that lament the erosion of the line between boxing and professional wrestling, Valuev is your case study in progress.
VALUEV LOST EVERYWHERE, BUT 0N THE JUDGES CARDS!
The insult that is the build-up of Valuev is compounded by the realization that not only was he undeserving of a mandatory shot, but that he has now won two fights in a row that he appeared to lose. As bad as the Ruiz decision was, it was no worse than Valuev’s previous win over Larry Donald. What I’m trying to say, loyal readers, is that something rotten is in the air. It’s only a matter of time before Valuev hits these shores. You are forewarned from this day onward, hide your wallets no matter what you hear, and just ignore the hype. The circus is coming to town, and this ain’t no Ringling Bros.
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