“The side show that is Nikolay Valuev.”
Mike Cassell
Ok, so you wanted some excitement in the Heavyweight division. You wanted to see something. Well, here is – something? Nikolay Valuev is over 7ft tall, and weighs 320lbs. He does not look like anything of this world; in fact, I think before people worry about Tommy Morrison passing his HIV test, they should be more concerned about Nikolay passing his DNA test. I am pretty sure they just thawed him out of a chunk of Ice in
I have seen some of his fights, and what I asked myself was, how do they make him look so big? That is creative. I really found it hard to believe, that this guy could actually be real, much less a professional fighter. Maybe a wrestler, but not a bonafide, highly ranked heavyweight. I was wrong. He actually is here, In the
He has not fought the stiffest competition though, but then again, who has? Who has fought anybody that deserves mentioning? Yes, Valuev is more caveman than fighter, yes, he is getting a career from carnival like size, yes, I hope he doesn’t have three older sisters, but seriously, he deserves as much, or more credit than any of the Champions now. He is undefeated, and maybe he has a really great translator! How much more can we hope for? His boxing skills are marginal at best. He kind of has a jab, the way Ruiz, kind of has a big punch, the way James Toney kind of has stamina, and the way Klitschko kind of has a beard.
Maybe we can trade talent and boxing ability for a few “big” surprises, no pun intended. Lord knows this division is taking a standing eight count. Fans are wandering through the dark room of the glamour division, with arms extended, looking for a switch. Well maybe this guy is the light needed, in an era of Heavyweight boxing that is so boring, even the fighters themselves are bored. So, ok Mr. Valuev. You have our attention, now let’s see if you can revive a dead division, or keep us in the dark, on a grandiose scale.
Mike Cassell
The
ESPN RADIO 920AM (weekends)
