VALUEV GUNNING FOR GLORY
Beast from the East to turn sights on Haye
NIKOLAI VALUEV'S weapon of choice in the ring is a left jab but when the gloves are off he is happiest with a semi-automatic rifle and a knife.
When the 7ft 2ins, 23 stone tallest and heaviest champion in boxing history isn't gunning down challengers he can be found slaughtering bears, deer, birds and wild boar near his home in Russia.
The 'Beast from the East', who defends his WBA heavyweight title against Londoner David Haye in Nuremberg on November 7, once even wrestled with and butchered a wild boar.
Valuev, 36, said: "It was no big deal. A wild boar was getting very near to my dogs so I killed it with a knife. I couldn't risk shooting it because it was up close to them.
"I wish hunting wasn't banned in Britain. It's so unfair.
"There are wild birds in Britain that I would love to hunt - although we have more than enough in Russia and Germany."
Valuev is happiest with his fingers on the trigger of his Browning automatic with a huge bear in the sights.
The man beaten just once in 51 fights said: "I have only managed to kill one bear in my years hunting.
"I was only 20 metres away and the adrenalin was pumping like crazy because I wasn't sure how big the animal was.
"Another time, I was night-hunting and saw a bear bigger than my jeep.
"I didn't realise the size until I got close. That is why I walked away and never shot him. Shooting bears is like the lottery.
"You have to look at your chances and don't go into a dangerous situation if you are unsure of the size."
The Russian was 6ft 4ins at the age of 12 and added: "People always paid attention to me but realised I could use my size. I set my focus of achieving something in sport."
Restraining Valuev in the ring will be a hard job for Haye, who full of confidence despite being 11 inches shorter and 100 pounds lighter.
David v Goliath on Saturday November 7 will be live in HD on Sky Box Office from 9pm. Go to www.skysports.com for details.
This article has 10 comments
This is it. My mate won, and someone on this for will never talk boxing again. David can have a big mouth but he has bigger punch. and he proved it last night.
North Cyprus
By firat. Posted November 8 2009 at 10:35 AM.
If David Haye wins this then i will never talk boxing ever again !!
David Haye did not have a back problem when he was supposed to fight Klitchesco ....Haye has a big mouth and has not got any chance against a good heavyweight ....I dont think HAYE will turn up ...If he does then he will have an excuse when he gets batter´d by the average W.B.A. Heavyweight from the east!
By Steve Hughes. Posted October 10 2009 at 5:07 PM.
We need another British heavyweight world champ, and i don't think Audrey is going to be stepping up any time soon. We should get behind Haye. He has got all the skills and takes risks, he would be a much needed change of direction in the division. Instead of boring giants we need the speed and skill to come back. Bring back the glory days!!!!
Ever since Tyson crumbled and Lennox retired we've had to watch boring fights.
Richard is wrong, the fairies will be circling Valuev's head.
COME ON HAYE!!!
By Wayne. Posted October 7 2009 at 11:08 AM.
I think that previous guy Wayne is away with the fairies.
Haye has his glasses on to hide the fear.
He will get a serious lack of bottle injury and not turn up.
By Richard. Posted October 7 2009 at 10:53 AM.
Haye will be too quick for him, he can hit hard (he'll have to).
I would say at this stage in their careers Haye beats Holyfield and Holyfield beat Valuev though the judges didn't give it. I think Haye will just hit and run all through the fight, if he gets caught it could be game over. If Valuev gets to him he could just lean on him zapping his strength and hurting his back. Still I think Haye on points.
By Wayne. Posted October 7 2009 at 10:18 AM.
Too be honest ....I dont think Haye will turn up !!
He will probably have a bad back !!
BUT....If Haye does turn up and fight ....Then Haye will have some kind of excuse for getting batter´d !!
Or for WHY he did a "NO MAS" .....!!
DAVID HAYE SHOULD BE A CIRCUS CLOWN !!
By Steve Hughes. Posted October 4 2009 at 12:37 PM.
Gotta say, I really rate david haye but i think hes gone a bit too far, THANT MAN IS A MONSTER look at the size difference!!!! his head/shoulders are huge!!
By garry bond. Posted October 4 2009 at 9:01 AM.
Haye has not beaten anybody.
Dont forget a few years ago Carl Thompson aged 41, 13 stone in weight stopped David HAYE inside 5 rounds!!
SO HOW IS HAYE GOING TO STOP THIS MONSTER????
I say it will be a NO MAS for David Haye ....Or a back pain ......?
By Steve Hughes. Posted October 4 2009 at 8:57 AM.
haye is gonna hit the haye, If I was Haye I would Haye tail it out of town on his high horse and, If I understand Haye, in the past he has a habit ,or wabbitt of not showing up,I say he will get a bwak bwak bwak back injury. U all feel me?
By mr chinken. Posted October 4 2009 at 5:20 AM.
Hay is going to be knocked out cold by this hairy beast
By neilburt. Posted October 4 2009 at 4:24 AM.