IT would be easy to look at 7ft Nikolai Valuev and think he was a fearsome man.
Easy, and probably correct.
GettyNikolai Valuev turned from fighting to politics and is now a lawmaker in the Russian State Duma, the country’s lower chamber of parliament[/caption] His most famous fight vs David Haye in 2009 went all the wayGetty - Contributor ReutersValuev was the heavyweight champ until Haye beat him[/caption]Even if you include the fact the ex-world heavyweight boxing champion briefly went on to become a children’s TV presenter!
The Russian, 51, is now a lawmaker in Vladimir Putin‘s regime – and newly BANNED from Azerbaijan for “offensive statements” against the nation.
Valuev’s most famous fight was his long-awaited “David vs Goliath” WBA title clash with a Brit.
Challenger David Haye was merely 6ft 3ins tall but bulked up to his heaviest ever weight of 98.6g for the 2009 bout in Germany.
But it still meant the Hayemaker went into the contest a whole 45 kilos lighter than the Beast from the East.
According to a quick Google search, that’s about the weight of a baby hippopotamus… or a fully-grown Bloodhound!
It was Nikolai who entered the ring on the front foot and looking for blood – but in the end he struggled to even find Haye.
The Londoner was too quick and mobile, usually beating the giant to the punch to win by a majority decision, 114-114 116-112 16-112.
TelegramValuev angered a neighbouring nation with claims about crime gangs[/caption]Astonishingly Haye triumphed despite breaking his hand – as early as the second round.
And his explanation of the injury only served to further build Valuev’s chilling reputation.
The Hayemaker landed a blow on the Beast from the East’s head.
He broke a knuckle and likened the impact to “hitting a brick wall”.
Valuev, then 36, considered retiring – then had to quit anyway when it was discovered he had a benign brain tumour.
Knee problems, perhaps caused in part by his mighty frame, also hastened his departure from the ring.
And at first, he followed up his ring career with a traditional path – forming the “Nikolai Valuev Boxing School”.
But he soon added an unusual “hat-trick” to his repertoire.
He was elected as an MP for the Russian parliament in 2011, becoming a member of the lower chamber (State Duma) with the United Russia party.
Valuev also took on the role of general manager of the national bandy team – a sport similar to ice hockey but with a ball.
Then came the most left-field role – hosting a kids’ TV show in 2016, from which regular appearances followed.
Valuev announced in September 2022 he’d been called up by Putin to fight in the invasion of Ukraine.
But he was taken to hospital with a leg injury – and “failed” the conscription guidelines on health reasons.
Valuev has been involved in major political decisions in RussiaGettyNow he’s back in the political limelight for equally controversial reasons.
Valuev claimed Russia’s neighbours Azerbaijan had been using diaspora groups – organisations scattered around outside their country – to engage in crime.
The Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry responded quickly – with a knockout blow for any plans the Beast had for crossing the border to visit.
A statement read: “The offensive statements against Azerbaijan and our people made by Nikolai Valuev… and his threatening remarks against our country are absolutely unacceptable.
“Due to the statements made by this deputy against Azerbaijan, his name has been added to the list of individuals banned from entering the Republic of Azerbaijan.”
He’s at least the third Russian lawmaker to receive such a ban from the country.
But if the exact number is unknown, one fact about them is surely certain.
Valuev is the only one who can boast of being the tallest and heaviest world champion in boxing history.
GettyValuev had trouble catching up with the Hayemaker[/caption] Read More Details
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