Found this video of Valuev sparring Jason Gavern (Boytsov's next opponent) from a few years back. Just found it interesting - I know he's probably 'aged' a bit since this time (likely accelerated ageing because of his size) but he looks pretty loose and fast here. Not at all what you'd expect from a man his size. Defence is pretty shocking though... http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=28850469
If I've said it once I've said it a thousand time. Valuev is not a serious fighter. He is a man that Don King plucked from the Siberian circuit and who through very careful management was able to win a version of the heavyweight belt. He has since lost 1 bout officially and 3 unofficially. He has never faced a dangerous fighter and he has continually rebuffed unification as he seems to be scared shitless of both Klitschko brothers.
During the time he fought Bango, Levin, Vidoz etc. he was pretty good and mobile. He seemed to have had serious knee problems then, and was a shadow of himself already when he faced Donald.
I disagree. Valuev is not the best but he has wins over 3 former champs: Ruiz (twice), Lyakhovich and Holyfield. He has also beaten Monte Barrett, Jameel McCline and Larry Donald. His one loss was a close one to Chagaev. Only the Klitschkos have a better resume among active top fighters. Sure, some were disputed wins. But Byrd and Ruiz had numerous disputed wins as well. Of course, both Klitschkos would beat him but Valuev just might beat Haye.
Valuev is and always has been a poor boxer. His size got him as far as he has gone (which is not that far) and i cant wait for haye to expose him. I know he is past his "best" but i have never thought he had anything great to offer apart from a good reach. This might be a bit out there but I am predicting a haye KO when the fight.
:rofl I agree but IF he beats Haye what does that make Haye??? If he does beat haye all of the haye fans will be shocked!!:yikes
Haye to expose him? It begins already. He's already been exposed, several times, my friend. Let's not pretend Haye is doing anything orginal.
:rofl You didn't saw his fight vs Marcelo Fabian Dominguez I take? That was a nice present W for Valuev:yep
Just because fans "had Holyfield winning", it doesn't make it an "established fact". Holyfield had 6 rounds where he did literally NOTHING. The best you can give him is then a draw. Sure, he just didn't have the gas to win the fight easily and convincingly because of age, but you cannot then lower the requirements for such a guy on old merits what you have to do to win a round. If he doesn't attack and basically just circles away from Valuev the whole round, he loses it. Valuev got a W vs. Ruiz that was a draw if you score against him, a W vs. Donald which was a draw, and a questionable loss vs. Chagaev in a fight that guy was merely running away for 2:45 and then trying to land loud punches to Valuevs shoulder and chest. Not exactly something that warrants all those accusations against him.