FRANK MALONEY'S BEAST WARNING
Gangsters scared off promoter from signing Nikolai Valuev
NIKOLAI VALUEV might have flown the flag for Britain if Russian mafiosi had not left Frank Maloney fearing for his own life.
Maloney promoted Valuev for two fights 13 years ago. The Russian knocked out Barnsley's Neil Kirkwood and Carmarthen's Darren Fearn in early career appearances in London.
But Maloney, who also managed Lennox Lewis, told Sport of the World: "I don't regret letting Valuev go, because I like being alive."
Maloney believed he had discovered boxing's next big thing until his Russian business partner Michael Sorin had limbs broken and then suddenly died.
Maloney explained: "Valuev wanted to fight in England and we agreed a long-term deal.
"I then had a disturbing telephone call telling me Valuev wouldn't be moving to London.
"I contacted Michael Sorin, who had brought him to me, but he'd been badly beaten up in Russia.
"Michael was found in an alley with both arms and both legs broken after recommending Valuev signed with me.
"Michael said Valuev would still sign, but others told me it was too dangerous for me.
"Soon after Michael was being treated in hospital but died in mysterious circumstances of a 'heart attack' after strange characters were seen leaving his bedside. I have no idea who these unsavoury faceless people were.
"Nikolai knew nothing about what was going on."
This article has 1 comment
one scary lookin mother,hope you like hospital food michael.good luck to you.
By yanton. Posted November 2 2009 at 12:51 AM.