Ruslan Chagaev was a very good contender and beltholder in his prime, but why was he nicknamed 'White Tyson'? Chagaev is short and uses headmovement, but he does not have big power, incredible handspeed, great combinations. Most importantly, Chagaev is mainly a counter-puncher, he does not often lead forward ferociously with big punches. So why the famous nickname? How did and when Ruslan get it? Has Mike Tyson ever commented on it? This content is protected :think
A little harsh don't you think? :think Chagaev is 27-1-1, has wins over Valuev and Ruiz, and he was a WBA beltholder.
Yes, obviously. But I just can't stand watching him. He was okay-ish pre-Wlad when he beat the Ruiz and Valuev (who both considered #1 and #2 of the worst HW title holders in recent memory) and looked ABYSMAL against Wlad. I mean, nowadays every boxer loses to Wlad without coming close to taking him into deep waters but Chagaev's attempt was simply ridiculously helpless combined with a quitjob. Furthermore, Travis Walker recently gave him all he could handle. Povetkin is going to shut him out or stop him late and I honestly don't rate Povetkin.
Chagaev was famed, in part, for having a big left hook. It won him several fights with one-punch knockouts earlier on in his career. He built a reputation as being a very solid puncher until he stepped up his competition level. He hasn't scored one of those highlight reel knockouts in years.