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`Beast from the East' gunning for Rocky's record

WBA Super Heavyweight Champion Russian Nikolay Valuev, left, and Uzbek Ruslan Chagaev pose for photographers on March 6 in Stuttgart. They will meet in a heavyweight title bout on Saturday at the Porsche-Arena, Stuttgart, Germany. PHOTO: AFP

Giant Russian Nikolay Valuev has a lot more at stake than simply his WBA heavyweight title when he takes on Uzbek challenger Ruslan Chagaev on Saturday in Stuttgart.

The 2.13m tall St Petersburg native is also closing in on one of the most impressive records in boxing -- Rocky Marciano's 49-bout winning streak.

Valuev has won 46 bouts, including 34 knock-outs, with one no contest and no defeats in a career that began in 1993.

That it took him more than 10 years to reach the top of his game is testament to his staying power and his improvement over the years.

When he first came to global attention, ahead of a WBA title challenge against the US' John Ruiz in December 2005, he was seen as little more than a circus act. A giant with little skill and a lack of power given his imposing size.

However, since that somewhat dubious split decision victory -- most observers felt that Ruiz, a champion of jab and grab boxing, had done enough to take the fight -- Valuev has gone on to prove he does have the skills to take on -- and beat -- the top fighters in the division.

Stoppage victories over a trio of well-respected Americans: Owen Beck, Monte Barrett and Jameel McCline, have demonstrated that there is more to Valuev than simply a money-spinning freak show.

And now the Beast from the East has one eye on Marciano's record which was set between 1947-1955.

"Breaking the record would mean a lot to me. Rocky Marciano is a legend, as is his record," said Valuev. "I really want to get my name down in the record books, especially because I have got so close now."

"Normally I don't care about statistics but when I was in the US [for the Barrett fight] a lot of journalists brought up the record and then all of a sudden it was a topic for me. It is my goal now to break it."

Facing him on Saturday is Chagaev, who out-pointed Ruiz in November to earn his shot at the WBA crown.

The Uzbek is a huge outsider despite his record of 22 wins, 17 inside the distance, and one draw. But until his victory over Ruiz, he had yet to mix it in exhalted company.

Should Valuev overcome Chagaev, as is expected given his 29cm height advantage, not to mention a weight superiority that may well top 45kg, Valuev is expected to try to set up a fight against current IBF title-holder Wladimir Klitschko.

The Ukranian, alongside Valuev, is widely considered as the top fighter in the heavyweights and a fight between the pair would help settle the debate over who is the true champion -- with the other two recognized world titles being held by Oleg Maskaev and Shannon Briggs.

Valuev's co-promoter Don King stirred up the clamor for a Valuev-Klitschko showdown recently when he claimed a fight off was needed.

"Absolutely! That's the only way to give the public something they can relate to and identify with," said King. "They must be able to know who is the champion. Right now they're very confused and so am I."

"He's [Klitschko] on the list. I want Klitschko like a rare steak or roast beef," King said. "Nikolay Valuev told me: I want him Mr King, I want him. He has a great appetite and it's insatiable."

Valuev, though, was more coy about such a match-up.

"I only take one fight at a time. My mind is on Chagaev now. That is all I think about," he said, before adding: "But it is my goal to unify the division and win more belts. As for Klitschko, I have answered this question a lot of times. I am ready to fight him at any time."

However, any such fight is fraught with problems due to various contractual obligations.

"Of course our managements would have to reach an agreement," added Valuev. "A stumbling block would also be the TV stations. Klitschko is with RTL and I am with ARD. They would have to find a solution."
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