Best Russian Boxer Ever

His nationality is listed as American on Wiki, though he was born in Russia. I've no strong feelings either way on whether he qualifies for this thread and agree he's number 1 if he does

 

None if matched against Ukranian fighters.

 

If you ever want to know what social group is at the bottom of the pile, just ask what nationality the heavyweight champion is.

 

I thought Newsboy Brown was an ethnic Jew?
It should be distinguished if your really an ethnic Russian or just born there. Beterbiev shouldn't be on the list as he's an ethnic Chechen.
I think Viktor Ageev deserves a shout. Popenchenko was incredible but he was ethnic Ukrainian.

 

Nikolai "Sugar" Valuev.

* 50-2 as a pro.
* Two-time WBA Heavyweight champion.
* 6-2 in WBA heavyweight title fights

Defeated John Ruiz twice, Evander Holyfield, Sergie Liakhovich, Jameel McCline, Larry Donald, Monte Barrett, Cliff Etienne, Owen Beck ...

Only lost majority decisions to Ruslan Chagaev and David Haye (in Valuev's final fight). Tried to rematch Chagaev on three separate occasions, and all three times Chagaev backed out after the fight was signed.

Valuev was never knocked down. Never stopped. Never lost a unanimous decision

Other than Larry Holmes, Valuev came the closest to equalling Marciano's 49-0 mark.

Valuev's first loss came via majority decision in his 47th pro fight. Didn't lose again until his 52nd and last fight, in another majority decision, this time to Haye. (I thought Valuev edged Haye.)

 

Nah, never won a title and was 'roided up to the eyeballs. Lost to an over the hill and undersized Balboa in his own country.

Had a hot missus though.

 

You must be kidding. Valuev is easily and by far the WORST title holder of all time in P4P sense. His resume is full of gift decision, including gifts over 46 y.o. Holyfield and 38 y.o. Larry Donald. His wins over Ruiz and 5'9'' shot cruiserweight Marcelo Dominguez also were debatable. He ducked Klitschko's as if they had the plague and didn't look even remotely impressive in a single fight of his career.

In heavyweight alone there were much better russian fighters like Povetkin and Ibragimov. They would easily school Valuev and probably stop him (pretty sure Povetkin would).

 

Not kidding.

Valuev was on his last legs (literally, bad legs) when he faced the elderly Evander, and the punchstats in Valuev-Holyfield favored Valuev by a clear margin.

Valuev and Vitali personally negotiated for close to a year, but Vitali couldn't get the price he wanted from any promoters. Valuev was more than willing to face either Klitschko.

And neither Klitschko handled a jab to the face very well. They both had to reset when a taller boxer jabbed with them. (Hell, Mariusz Wach's jabs had Wlad flinching, grabbing.) The Fury-Wlad fight was probably a fair representation of how Valuev-Wlad would've gone - with a low punch output, Valuev jabbing and Wlad staying back, the jab causing him to reset and reset and reset again.

Finally, if Povetkin and Ibragimov would've easily schooled Valuev, maybe they should have. Valuev and Ibragimov were champs at the same time. Hell, Ibragimov couldn't beat Ray Austin.

I don't think there were enough PEDs in Russia for Povetkin to get in the ring with Valuev.

Povetkin and Ibragimov never accomplished nearly as much as a pro as Valuev.

Valuev was better than the two.

 

Dmitrii Bivol has not finished his career, but with victories over Canelo and Zurdo, he should enter the shortlist.

 

Ha Ha. But had a hot wife.

 

Hey Rich. Key word is "had" . She aged like milk and ended up being Billy Idol's doppelganger. Lol!

 

Billy Idol's doppelganger...hahahahahahaha.

Very good sir.

 

If young Newsboy had hung around Russia for a few more years, he’d have been known as Pravda Brown.

 

Brigette Nielson sure did age like aged milk turned into cottage cheese. Ha Ha.