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Nikolai Valuev
Russian boxer and politician

Nikolai Sergeyevich Valuev (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 World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight title twice between 2005 and 2009. Standing at a height of 2.13 metres (7 feet) and a peak weight of 151 kilograms (333 pounds), Valuev is best known for being the tallest and heaviest world champion in boxing history.

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Biography

Valuev was born on 21 August 1973, in Leningrad, Soviet Union (now Saint Petersburg, Russia).4 His parents are short—both 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) tall—, unlike his Tatar ancestor "of mountainous proportions", and Valuev has denied that his own size is due to medical issues such as gigantism complicated by acromegaly, instead arguing for it being a question of genetics.5

Valuev is a Russian Orthodox Christian.6

Valuev has written a book in Russian called My 12 Rounds, with the help of Russian sports journalist Konstantin Osipov.7 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.8

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.9

Amateur career

Highlights

Russian National Championships (+91 kg), Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 1994:

Goodwill Games (+91 kg), Saint Petersburg, July 1994:

Professional career

First reign as WBA heavyweight champion

Main article: John Ruiz vs. Nikolai Valuev

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 (324 lbs or 147 kg) champion in boxing history.10

Valuev vs. Chagaev

Main article: Nikolai Valuev vs. Ruslan Chagaev

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).11

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.12 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.

Second reign as WBA champion

Valuev vs. Ruiz II

Main article: Nikolai Valuev vs. John Ruiz II

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.13 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 vs. Holyfield

Main article: Nikolai Valuev vs. Evander Holyfield

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).14 After a rather uneventful match with no knockdowns and few punches thrown by either fighter, Valuev won a widely disputed majority decision.1516 In response to the controversial result the WBA announced plans to investigate the decision.17

Loss to Haye

Main article: Nikolai Valuev vs. David Haye

In his second defense on 7 November 2009, billed as 'David vs. Goliath', Valuev faced off against former unified and lineal cruiserweight champion David Haye (22-1, 21 KOs) at the Arena Nürnberger Versicherung in Nuremberg. Valuev lost by a majority decision (114–114, 116–112, 116–112).18

Retirement from boxing and health problems

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".19 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.20

Outside of boxing

Television career

Valuev's first role in a film was a cameo appearance in the German film 7 Zwerge – Der Wald ist nicht genug in 2006.21 In 2008, Valuev played the main role in the film Stonehead by Philip Yankovskiy, playing an ex-boxer who lost his memory.22 The film took the main prize at the film festival "Window to Europe".23 After the success of Stonehead, it was announced Valuev was being filmed in two new films at the same time.24

In August 2016, Valuev became a presenter on Good Night, Little Ones!, Russia's long-running TV program for small children.25 He replaced Dmitry Malikov as the host.

Political career

In December 2011 Russian parliamentary election, Valuev became a member of the State Duma through the United Russia Party. On 17 December 2012, Valuev supported26 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."27

In September 2022, Valuev revealed he had been drafted to serve in the Russian armed forces.28

Involvement in other sports

In 2011, Valuev became the general manager of the Russia national bandy team, and is tasked with developing the sport in the country.29 He is also the Vice-President of the Russian Bandy Federation.30 Bandy is considered a national sport in Russia.31

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.32

Professional boxing record

52 fights50 wins2 losses
By knockout350
By decision152
By disqualification10
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound,timeDateLocationNotes
53Loss50–2 (1)David HayeMD127 Nov 2009Nuremberg Arena, Nuremberg, GermanyLost WBA heavyweight title
52Win50–1 (1)Evander HolyfieldMD1220 Dec 2008Hallenstadion, Zürich, SwitzerlandRetained WBA heavyweight title
51Win49–1 (1)John RuizUD1230 Aug 2008Max-Schmeling-Halle, Berlin, GermanyWon vacant WBA heavyweight title
50Win48–1 (1)Siarhei LiakhovichUD1216 Feb 2008Nuremberg Arena, Nuremberg, Germany
49Win47–1 (1)Jean Francois BergeronUD1229 Sep 2007Small EWE Arena, Oldenburg, GermanyWon NABA heavyweight title
48Loss46–1 (1)Ruslan ChagaevMD1214 Apr 2007Porsche-Arena, Stuttgart, GermanyLost WBA heavyweight title
47Win46–0 (1)Jameel McClineRTD3 (12), 3:0020 Jan 2007St. Jakobshalle, Basel, SwitzerlandRetained WBA heavyweight title
46Win45–0 (1)Monte BarrettTKO11 (12), 2:127 Oct 2006Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Illinois, USRetained WBA heavyweight title
45Win44–0 (1)Owen BeckTKO3 (12), 2:443 Jun 2006TUI Arena, Hanover, GermanyRetained WBA heavyweight title
44Win43–0 (1)John RuizMD1217 Dec 2005Max-Schmeling-Halle, Berlin, GermanyWon WBA heavyweight title
43Win42–0 (1)Larry DonaldMD121 Oct 2005Small EWE Arena, Oldenburg, GermanyRetained WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title
42Win41–0 (1)Clifford EtienneKO3 (12)14 May 2005Oberfrankenhalle, Bayreuth, GermanyRetained WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title
41Win40–0 (1)Attila LevinTKO3 (12), 2:3412 Feb 2005Max-Schmeling-Halle, Berlin, GermanyRetained WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title
40Win39–0 (1)Gerald NoblesDQ4 (12), 0:4220 Nov 2004BigBox, Kempten, GermanyRetained WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title;Nobles disqualified for repeated holding
39Win38–0 (1)Paolo VidozTKO9 (12), 2:339 Oct 2004Messe, Erfurt, GermanyWon vacant WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title
38Win37–0 (1)Richard IgbineghuTKO6 (10), 1:5024 Jul 2004Brandenburg-Halle, Frankfurt, GermanyWon vacant WBA Inter-Continental interim heavyweight title
37Win36–0 (1)Marcelo DomínguezUD817 Apr 2004Max-Schmeling-Halle, Berlin, Germany
36Win35–0 (1)Dicky RyanTKO1 (10), 2:4328 Feb 2004Mehrzweckhalle, Dresden, Germany
35Win34–0 (1)Otis TisdaleKO1 (8)4 Oct 2003Stadthalle, Zwickau, Germany
34Win33–0 (1)Bob MirovicUD816 Aug 2003Nürburgring, Nürburg, Germany
33Win32–0 (1)Vitali ShkrabaTKO4 (10)18 Jul 2003State Circus, Minsk, Belarus
32Win31–0 (1)Pedro Daniel FrancoUD1215 Mar 2003Yubileyny Sports Palace, Saint Petersburg, RussiaRetained PABA heavyweight title
31Win30–0 (1)Kostiantyn PryziukRTD3 (10), 3:0010 Oct 2002Casino Conti Giant Hall, Saint Petersburg, RussiaRetained Russian heavyweight title
30Win29–0 (1)Taras BidenkoUD1221 Jul 2002Seoul, South KoreaRetained PABA heavyweight title
29Win28–0 (1)Yaroslav ZavorotnyiTKO3 (10)15 Jun 2002Druzhba Arena, Donetsk Ukraine
28Win27–0 (1)Toakipa TasefaUD1228 Sep 2001Yubileyny Sports Palace, Saint Petersburg, RussiaRetained PABA heavyweight title
27Win26–0 (1)George LinbergerTKO1 (12), 1:2030 Jun 2001Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USWon vacant PABA heavyweight title
26Win25–0 (1)Vitali ShkrabaTKO4 (8)6 Mar 2001Arena CSKA, Moscow, Russia
25Win24–0 (1)Tone FisoTKO1 (12)29 Oct 2000Yubileyny Sports Palace, Saint Petersburg, RussiaRetained PABA interim heavyweight title
24Win23–0 (1)Yuriy YelistratovUD126 Jun 2000Yubileyny Sports Palace, Saint Petersburg, RussiaWon vacant PABA interim heavyweight title
23Win22–0 (1)Yuri NikolaevTKO2 (6)10 Mar 2000Novosibirsk, Russia
22Win21–0 (1)Aleksei VarakinKO1 (12), 1:3015 Dec 1999State Circus, Saint Petersburg, RussiaRetained Russian heavyweight title
21Win20–0 (1)James McQueenKO1 (6)25 Jun 1999Prague, Czech Republic
20NC19–0 (1)Andreas SidonNC67 May 1999Prague, Czech RepublicReferee left the ring before the end of the fight
19Win19–0John TupouTKO4 (6), 1:1613 Feb 1999Ariake Colosseum, Tokyo, Japan
18Win18–0Aleksei OsokinTKO6 (10)22 Jan 1999Casino Conti Giant Hall, Saint Petersburg, RussiaWon vacant Russia heavyweight title
17Win17–0Evgeny OdolskyKO1 (6)19 Dec 1998Tundra Bar, Saint Petersburg, Russia
16Win16–0James GainesUD69 Jun 1998State Circus, Moscow, Russia
15Win15–0Jim HuffmanTKO2 (6), 0:3714 Mar 1998Olympic Stadium, Moscow, Russia
14Win14–0Sinclair BabbTKO1 (6), 2:506 Dec 1997Stockland Stadium, Townsville, Australia
13Win13–0Alarim UysalTKO28 Nov 1997Ballsporthalle, Frankfurt, Germany
12Win12–0Kevin RosierKO127 Sep 1997State Circus, Moscow, Russia
11Win11–0Aug TanuvasaTKO1 (6), 2:4421 Aug 1997Bankstown RSL Club, Sydney, Australia
10Win10–0Rodney HarrisPTS426 Jul 1997Yokohama Arena, Yokohama, Japan
9Win9–0Terrell NelsonTKO2 (4), 1:2631 May 1997Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
8Win8–0Manao NavuilawaTKO1 (4), 1:249 May 1997Bankstown Sports Club, Sydney, Australia
7Win7–0Patrick SladeTKO1 (4), 1:5921 Mar 1997Parramatta RSL Club, Sydney, Australia
6Win6–0Darren FearnRTD1 (6), 3:0026 Nov 1996York Hall, London, England
5Win5–0Neil KirkwoodTKO2 (4)8 Oct 1996Battersea Town Hall, London, England
4Win4–0Sergei AnikeevKO2 (4)16 Feb 1995State Circus, Saint Petersburg, Russia
3Win3–0Aleksei TsygankovKO3 (4)15 Apr 1994State Circus, Saint Petersburg, Russia
2Win2–0Aleksandr VasilievPTS422 Feb 1994State Circus, Saint Petersburg, Russia
1Win1–0John MortonTKO2 (4)15 Oct 1993Sporthalle, Schöneberg, Germany

Filmography

  • 2001: The town – issue #89
  • 2003: Playing without rules – cameo
  • 2006: 7 Zwerge – Der Wald ist nicht genug – cameo
  • 2008: Rock Head – Yegor Golovin "Rock Head"
  • 2009: Path – a prisoner nicknamed "The Beast"
  • 2009: Fight without rules – Nicholas Shafts
  • 2011: Antique Watches – cameo
  • 2013: Bigfoot Files – himself

Notes

Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
VacantTitle last held byNikolay Kulpin Russia heavyweight champion 22 January 1999 – June 2000VacatedVacantTitle next held byAlexey Osokin
VacantTitle last held byJustin Fortune PABA heavyweight championInterim title 6 June 2000 – 30 June 2001Won full titleVacantTitle next held byTaras Bidenko
VacantTitle last held byKirk Johnson PABA heavyweight champion 30 June 2001 – July 2004VacatedVacantTitle next held byRob Calloway
New title WBA Inter-Continentalheavyweight championInterim title 24 July 2004 – 20 November 2004Won full titleTitle discontinued
VacantTitle last held byWladimir Klitschko WBA Inter-Continentalheavyweight champion 20 November 2004 – 17 December 2005Won world titleVacantTitle next held byRuslan Chagaev
Preceded byJean Francois Bergeron NABA heavyweight champion 29 September 2007 – November 2007VacatedVacantTitle next held byFriday Ahunanya
World boxing titles
Preceded byJohn Ruiz WBA heavyweight champion 17 December 200514 April 2007Succeeded byRuslan Chagaev
VacantTitle last held byRuslan Chagaev WBA heavyweight champion 30 August 20087 November 2009Succeeded byDavid Haye
Records
Preceded byHenry AkinwandeandVitali Klitschko2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) Tallest world champion2.14 m (7 ft 0 in) 17 December 2005 – presentIncumbent
Previous:Primo Carnera vs.Tommy Loughran84 lb (38 kg) Largest weight disparity in a title match105.5 lb (47.9 kg) vs. Monte Barrett 7 October 2006 – present

References

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  2. Jones, Michael J (24 June 2013). "Giants of the ring; the ten tallest heavyweight champions in history: Part Two" Archived 2018-06-14 at the Wayback Machine. livefight.com. Retrieved 20 September 2016. http://www.livefight.com/news.php?news_id=2962&y=2013&m=06

  3. Alexander, George (12 January 2017). "Boxing Trivia". boxbets.co.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2017. http://www.boxbets.co.uk/boxing-trivia/

  4. "Размер имеет значение". Nevasport.ru. Archived from the original on 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2016-05-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20081207032254/http://www.nevasport.ru/articles.php?id=9895

  5. Mitchell, Kevin (5 November 2009). "David Haye must land body blows to cut Nikolai Valuev down to size". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 12 April 2025. Valuev insists he is not a physical freak suffering from a pituitary gland disorder; he is a genetic throwback, the son of parents who each are 5ft 5in tall, with a Tatar ancestor of mountainous proportions. https://web.archive.org/web/20250412161456/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/nov/05/david-haye-nikolai-valuev-size

  6. "Священник, бывший боксер-любитель, благословил Валуева на бой с Руизом". http://www.pravoslavie.ru/news/051208140413

  7. Мои 12 раундов [My 12 rounds] (in Russian). TimeOut Moscow. Archived from the original on 6 July 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2013. Мои 12 раундов

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  12. "Valuev dominates Liakhóvich! - World boxing - Boxing news". BoxNews.com.ua. Retrieved 2016-05-25. http://www.BoxNews.com.ua/news.php?id=4000&lng=en

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  14. Holyfield, 46, faces Valuev for heavyweight title Archived 2010-01-16 at the Wayback Machine, Associated Press, 20 December 2008. http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/28314887/

  15. Scott Christ (20 December 2008). "Holyfield robbed of win over sleepwalking Valuev". Bad Left Hook. http://www.badlefthook.com/2008/12/20/698616/holyfield-robbed-of-win-ov

  16. "Giant Nikolai Valuev did little to deserve victory over Evander Holyfield". ESPN.com. 22 December 2008. https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/columns/story?id=3786752

  17. "Boxing: WBA investigate Evander Holyfield and Nikolai Valuev fight | Sport". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-05-25. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/dec/30/boxing-evander-holyfield-nikolai-valuev

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  19. "Valuev future in doubt". Sky Sports. Retrieved 25 August 2010. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12183_6331464,00.html

  20. "Ex-champ Valuev talks Klitschko reign, Haye v Fury and retirement". Through care, as well as health and medical recommendations, I was advised that fighting would not be good for me and so I will stay retired.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) https://www.worldboxingnews.com/ex-champ-valuev-talks-klitschko-reign-haye-v-fury-and-retirement/

  21. "7 Zwerge full cast". imdb.com. Retrieved 2012-11-03. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0461642/

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  25. "Николай Валуев — новый ведущий "Спокойной ночи, малыши!"". Karusel TV. 2016-07-13. https://www.karusel-tv.ru/news/7275

  26. "(2 чтение) ФЗ №186614-6 "О мерах воздействия на лиц, причастных к нарушению основополагающих прав и свобод человека, прав и свобод граждан РФ"". http://vote.duma.gov.ru/vote/79982

  27. "Валуев: нужно ехать на Олимпиаду и рвать всех назло этим гадам - Спорт FM". Archived from the original on 2017-12-24. Retrieved 2017-12-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20171224214510/https://sportfm.ru/news/valuev-nuzhno-ekhat-na-olimpiadu-i-rvat-vsekh-nazlo-etim-gadam.html

  28. Давлетшина, Лейсан (2022-09-29). "Депутат Николай Валуев сообщил о получении повестки из военкомата". Известия (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-02-02. https://iz.ru/1402986/2022-09-29/deputat-nikolai-valuev-soobshchil-o-poluchenii-povestki-iz-voenkomata

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