26.06.08 – WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev has suffered a complete tear of the Achilles tendon in his left ankle after sparring today. Felix Sturm will headline the July 5th card vs Randy Giffin..
This afternoon, in the next to last round of his final sparring day before his major championship heavyweight fight against Nikolai Valuev, WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev has injured himself severly. Trainer Michael Timm: „He made a step back towards the left and immediately I heard something snap. From that moment I knew something was wrong.”
After an immediate transport to the nearby hospital in Hamburg he underwent a scan and the result was that he has suffered a complete tear of the Achilles tendon in his left ankle. He is certain to have to undergo an operation on Monday.
Dr. Michael Ehnert: „The injury isn’t as bad as it sounds. the diagnose is actually something positive because the tendon has teared in the middle and not by the heel bone. Therefore we hope for a faster recovery.“ Ruslan Chagaev will have to take a break form boxing but it is believed that he can return to the ring by the end of the year.
Ruslan Chagaev was shocked and very disappointed: „It felt like as a stone hit my achilles. I can only say that this is the biggest upset in my career. But I will come back!”