|
|
Chagaev’s hit list: Drumond, Valuev (again)
and then the Klitschkos -
HOBOKEN, N.J. (January 26, 2009) – 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 No. 10 rated Carl Davis
Drumond in the 12-round main event February 7, headlining “The Champion
Returns” in Rostock, Germany.
“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), The Ring’s No. 3 rated
heavyweight, 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 No. 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.
“It is one year since my last fight (win by 12-round decision against
21-1 Matt Skelton), so I am very motivated for this fight,” Chagaev said
from his training camp in Hamburg. “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.
“Than (after defeating Drumond) I will show who the real champ is by
beating Valuev for the second time. 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 then very well and I can beat them. 2009
will be my year.”
WBA light welterweight champion Andreas Kotelnikin defends his title belt
versus unbeaten Argentinean knockout artist Marcos Rene “El Chino” Maidana,
the WBA No. 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 No. 11 by the WBA, is the latest prospect in a long line of
Russian heavyweight contenders.
Integrated Sports: North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events is Integrated Sports. Among the many events brought to North American viewers by Integrated Sports include World Championship boxing matches featuring Ricky Hatton, Christian Mijares, Evander Holyfield and Roy Jones, Jr. In addition, Integrated Sports has distributed numerous International soccer matches showcasing teams like Club America of Mexico and the National Team of Argentina. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit www.integratedsportsnet.com.
