After confusion in the last few days, UBP has made up its mind and delivered the info that Ruslan will defend his title by the end of this year, but at least in January. Uzbekistan or Germany are possible venues. So I guess that Taras Bidenko will be his next opponent.
His opponent should be Virchis or Dimitrenko. If the fight is in January, they will have enough time to rest and train.
I think if Chagaev is going to fight a softer opponent on his first defence, it ought to at least be a soft fighter that is a bit more established and deserving. He might as well be fighting someone off the street.
I stand corrected. This Bidenko guy is #5 in the WBA. World Champion: RUSLAN CHAGAEV UZB Won Title: 04-14-07 Last Mandatory: Last Defense: WBC:OLEG MASKAEV - IBF:WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO WBO: SULTAN IBRAGIMOV 1. NICOLAY VALUEV (NABA) RUS 2. SERGUEI LIAKHOVICH BLR 3. JOHN RUIZ USA 4. KALI MEEHAN AUS 5. TARAS BIDENKO (WBA I/C) UKR 6. MICHAEL MOORER (WBANA) USA 7. WLADIMIR VIRCHIS (EBU) UKR 8. MIKE MOLLO (LAC) USA 9. JUAN CARLOS GOMEZ CUB 10. ALEXANDER DIMITRENKO UKR 11. ALEXANDER POVETKIN RUS 12. HASIM RAHMAN USA 13. JD CHAPMAN USA 14. KEVIN JOHNSON USA 15. EVANDER HOLYFIELD USA I guess it could be worse. He could be fighting Tony Thompson. LOL
Thompson is far more worthy of a shot than Bidenko, who's lost to the only two decent fighters he's faced, and for whom three of his best four wins are against guys that Odlanier Solis has already beaten 5 fights into his career, and for whom his best win is against Richel Hersisia. Thompson at least a win over Krasniqi, who's far better than anyone Bidenko's beaten, and you can make a pretty decent argument that Guinn and Timor are better than anyone Bidenko's beaten as well. It would have been worse if he was facing Chapman, but that's about it.
At least Bidenko is fresh face.I am really fed up with names like Ruiz,Rahman,Tua,and so on. Besides Bidenko has a better fight record than Chambers(hope that he beats Brook-another fresh face). Bidenko vs Virchis was one of the most entertaining and dramatic heavy weight fights I have seen for the last couple of years. On top of that all Bidenko can box.He is no big puncher,but Chagaev had better keep his nose to the grindstone or he'll be in for a surprise. Bidenko has the tools to outbox Chagaev.
bidenko has no chance whatsoever. he can't crack an egg and is too passive. chagaev will be aggressive and knock him out in the middle rounds. the wba rankings are the biggest joke: michael moorer is 6th? because he knocked out cliff couser? bidenko 5th? he had some trouble decisioning the great george arias. his last opponent rankings on boxrec were: 214, 74, 221, 345, 286, 154, 95, 374. quite impressive, hm?
You are far too harsh on young Bidenko. Hollyfield? Briggs? What the hell did they do to deserve a shot at a world title? Bidenko's fight record is better than Chapman's one. Besides he kicked Virchis ' ass up to the point when he was brutally knocked out by his huge compatriot. And a lot of fight fans and experts think that Virchis is a genuine top 10 fighter at the present heavy weight division. Bidenko had a pretty close fight with Valuev.Bidenko still keeps claiming that he must have won that fight and not Valuev. Bidenko has no chance against Chagaev? Why? Chagaev can be outboxed,and Bidenko is an excellent boxer. Admittingly,he doesnt have much pop in his fists,but I for my part wouldnt call him feather fisted. He easily stopped Onofei who is one of the few fighters who can boast with an victory against Wlad at the amateurs. And by the way he stopped Perkovic who gave hell to Sinan Samil Sam in his last outing to a ring. Speaking about Sinan Samil Sam the fighter from Turkey had a very lame and close fight with Bidenko's last opponent. Well,Bidenko's performance against Arias wasnt that entertaing either,but at least he won almost every round against the teak tough journeyman from Brazil. Like Sultan Ibragimov Bidenko outpointed Osokin. Colliander,Seferi,Mazikin,Feliz,and Hersisia-no great fighters,but all of them are very decent journeymen. Of course Chagaev has the edge in firepower,and I for sure wouldnt bet much money on Bidenko in a fight against Chagaev,but a focused and bloody cautious Bidenko might have a chance to win a point decision. Bidenko is no bum,but used to be one of the most young promising heavies out there. However,since his devastating loss to Virchis he has been a bit gunshy. Virchis broke his mental barrier down and took something away.
