Stricter medical requirements where the Valuev bout was supposed to take place (Finland I believe?). Germany has no problems with Hepatitis apparently.
Hep B was it, some tests in Finland meant he could not fight. However, Germany allows it. Not an expert but some say there are risks, others say extremely low risk. We win with a great fight on Sky!
... yet others say it was a setup by Valuev's promoter, who won the purse bid and decided not to fight in Germany but in (wtf !?!?!?!) Finland.
It was Valuev who prevented the rematch against Chagaev (who already beat Valuev). All Valuev had to do was agree to be vaccinated within 24 hours of the fight, and Valuev refused to do so. This is why the fight was canceled.
This might be a stupid question, but if Chagaev has Hep B how much should it impair him (if at all) tonight?
The strain is rally mild now - it's basically incurable, I believe, but can be controlled. So he's okay, but the fact is he hasn't looked teh same fighter since he contracted it. To win, he has to turn the clock back toearly 2007 - hopefully he can do that.
Yeah, Chagaev got a lot of **** for the cancellation of the second fight, which wasn't his fault. The injury and inactivity are a problem but I hope he does well tonight.
Cheers. I suppose knowing you have an incurable disease must do something to you mentally even if there are no physical effects yet. If he's still physically fit I wouldn't be that surprised if he pulled off an upset tonight, I think he can win inside if he can get in there. I'd say Wlad is favourite but not as heavy a favourite as a lot of people are making out.
Yeah, I think he looks in good shape too going from the weigh-in pics but without wishing to sound a **** about it if he has **** for blood then that don't necessarily mean anything. I don't know how it affects a fighter having something like Hep B.