Nikolai Sergeyevich Valuev (vah-LOO-yeff, Russian: Никола́й Серге́евич Валу́ев, IPA:[vɐˈlujɪf]; born 21 August 1973) is a Russian politician and former professional boxer. He competed in boxing from 1993 to 2009, and held the WBAheavyweight title twice between 2005 and 2009. Standing at a height of 2.13 metres (7 ft) and a peak weight of 149 kilograms (328 lb), Valuev is best known for being the tallest and heaviest world champion in boxing history.[4][5]
Biography
Valuev was born on 21 August 1973, in Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union (now Saint Petersburg, Russia).[6] He is of mostly Russian descent, and had a Tatar grandfather. Although his own parents are short—both 1.68m (5'6") tall—his Tatar great-grandfather has been described as "of mountainous proportions" and "a warrior giant of Russian folklore." His own size and appearance are due to gigantism complicated by acromegaly.[7]
Valuev has written a book in Russian called My 12 Rounds, with the help of Russian sports journalist Konstantin Osipov.[9] The book discusses his life in general and his boxing career in particular. For that book, Valuev received an award from the government of Saint Petersburg.[10]
In January 2006, Valuev was accused of assaulting a security guard at the Spartak Ice Palace in Saint Petersburg. No criminal investigation was launched by local police.[11]
In 2005, Valuev squared off with WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz, and won a twelve-round majority-decision, becoming both the tallest (7 ft or 2.13 m) and heaviest (323 lbs or 147 kg) champion in boxing history.[12]
The title defense was held on 14 April 2007. Chagaev defeated Valuev by a majority decision (117–111, 115–113 and 114–114).
Valuev changed trainers, from Manuel Gabrielian to Alexander Zimin, who coached the old Soviet Union amateur boxing team. On 29 September 2007, Valuev won against Jean-Francois Bergeron in Oldenburg, Germany, by a 12-round unanimous decision (118–111 on all three cards).[13]
Between title reigns
Valuev vs. Liakhovich
On 16 February 2008, in a title eliminator, Valuev defeated former titleholder Siarhei Liakhovich, winning every round at the Nuremberg Arena in Germany.[14] The victory earned Valuev the right to face Chagaev for the WBA title again, the only man who had defeated him in his boxing career.
He was scheduled to face Chagaev for his WBA title on 5 July 2008, but Chagaev pulled out with an injury. Valuev instead fought John Ruiz for the vacant title on 30 August 2008 and the WBA decided to make Chagaev "Champion In Recess". Valuev defeated Ruiz by unanimous decision to regain the WBA heavyweight championship, with Valuev and Chagaev set to fight no later than 26 June 2009 to determine whom the WBA regarded as their champion.[15] The scores were 114–113, 116–113, and 116–111. The result was initially declared a split decision win for Valuev with the 114–113 score by ringside judge Takeshi Shimakawa was announced in favor of Ruiz rather than for Valuev. One of the scorecards had the names of the fighters in opposite order, resulting in the confusion. The decision was once again unpopular with the live crowd, as some booed the outcome, much like in the first bout.
Valuev's first title defense of his second reign as WBA Champion was against the 46-year-old, four-time heavyweight champion of the world, Evander Holyfield, on 20 December 2008. Before the match, Valuev weighed 310.8 pounds (141 kg), nearly 100 pounds heavier than Holyfield at 214.3 pounds (97 kg).[16] After a rather uneventful match with no knockdowns and few punches thrown by either fighter, Valuev won a widely disputed majority decision.[17][18] In response to the controversial result the WBA announced plans to investigate the decision.[19]
Valuev announced his retirement from boxing in a Russian newspaper three days after the loss to Haye on 10 November 2009.
In 2010, Valuev's doctor went on record saying that he is treating Valuev for "serious bone and joint problems".[21] Valuev underwent two operations that required at least six months on the sidelines.
Valuev confirmed in 2013 that medical advice was one of the reasons he is not planning to make a comeback in boxing.[22]
Outside of boxing
Television career
Valuev's first role in a film was a cameo appearance in the German film7 Zwerge – Der Wald ist nicht genug in 2006.[23] In 2008, Valuev played the main role in the film Stonehead by Philip Yankovskiy, playing an ex-boxer who lost his memory.[24] The film took the main prize at the film festival "Window to Europe".[25] After the success of Stonehead, it was announced Valuev was being filmed in two new films at the same time.[26]
In December 2011 Russian parliamentary election, Valuev became a member of the State Duma through the United Russia Party. On 17 December 2012, Valuev supported[28] the law in the Russian Parliament banning adoption of Russian orphans by citizens of the US.
Following the IOC's decision to suspend Russia from participating in the Olympics under its flag due to the Russian state-sponsored doping scandal, Valuev said that Russia should go to the Olympics and "tear everyone apart to spite these bastards who want to kill our sport."[29]
In September 2022, Valuev revealed he had been drafted to serve in the Russian armed forces.[30]
Nikolai Valuev Boxing School and Youth Sports Foundation
In 2009, Valuev, together with a group of coaches, created the Nikolay Valuev Boxing School, with offices in Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad Oblast. The school is divided into three types of age groups: pupils (school terms 3-5), students (terms 6-8), and adults. School pupils participate and compete in various boxing matches, including the "Valuev Cup" youth boxing tournament, which became a regular competition in Saint Petersburg.[34]
