It was officially announced at a press conference that WBA world champion Ruslan Chagaev (24-0-1, 17 KOs) will face unbeaten Carl Davis Drumond on February 7th at the Stadthalle in Rostock, Germany. Chagaev will return from an Achilles tendon injury and he has proved his good fitness in order to challenge Carl Davis Drumond (26-0, 20 KOs) in a fight for the WBA heavyweight title..
At the “Yachthafenresidenz Hohe Düne“ in Rostock-Warnemünde the world champion answered the question of the press. Ruslan Chagaev: „My injury was a big mishap for me and very lucky for Valuev,” stated Chagaev. “But now I’m fit again now and look forward to the fight against Drumond. This is a good test. Now on Saturday Valuev boxes against Holyfield, and Nikolai claims to be the world champion. But, he is just a substitute champion. He beat Ruiz, whom I also clearly defeated. I will prove to Valuev and all the ‘experts’ in the next fight that I am the true champion.“
A short recap of what happened previously: Ten days before his highly anticipated second fight against the seven-foot Valuev in early July, Chagaev had to pull out due to a Achilles tendon tear in the left foot. The WBA has stipulated that Chagaev must face Valuev no later than June 26th. Chagaev says after his fight against the “interim champion” Valuev (Valuev is actually the WBA champion, while Chagaev is champion is recess), he will continue his goal to capture all four championship belts to become the undisputed champion.
Ruslan Chagaev: „Hopefully Holyfield doesn’t creates a surprise. For me to drive all the way over there to Zurich (Switzerland) isn’t worth it. I watch the fight on television and I hope that Valuev wins because he must fight me again. In 2009 I will show that there are better fighters than have been seen in the last few months. My respects to Vitali Klitschko, who after a long break regained the title against Peter. But at the last fight of his brother Wladimir, he selected an opponent because of a picture. My dream remains to be world champion of all associations and to unify all the belts. For this dream, I will also propose a fight with the Klitschko brothers, whether it’s Vitali or Wladimir!“
Trainer Michael Timm stated: „Because of his strong will, Ruslan is fit again. We must thank the doctors and physiotherapists, to whom we owe this incredibly fast and complete healing process. Ruslan is the WBA champion and he wants to once again beat Valuev. But the undefeated Carl Davis Drumond is a good and ambitious opponent. He is quick, athletic and well-built, so this first test is certainly no walk in the park!”
With this fight of February 7th Chagaev is testing his fitness ahead of his planned rematch with the „Russian Giant“ Nikolai Valuev. WBA #9 Carl Davis Drumond (33) of Costa Rica is certainly a tough and difficult challenger with a KO ratio of 76,92 %. World champion trainer Michael Timm: „Until now, the plan has been for Ruslan to train in the athletic area. Then in January we’ll begin with the sparring. 2009 will be the year of Ruslan Chagaev – of that I am sure. First he’ll beat Drumond in Rostock, then show Valuev who the true world champion is. Then bring on the Klitschkos. My vote: A clear ‘Yes,’ Ruslan can defeat both!”
Universum-Promoter Klaus-Peter Kohl: „Ruslan Chagaev is the man in the heavyweight for the year 2009. After the last year when he had such bad luck with his health, in the next year he will defeat Valuev for the second time and again show boxing fans what a great fighter he is. Ruslan is the future because he is a world champion, just 30 years old, and the most complete heavyweight — plus as a southpaw he’s very awkward to box.“
The ZDF will broadcast the fight of Ruslan Chagaev world title fight live from the Hanseatic city of Rostock.
Furthur fights on the February 7th “Universum Champions Night” card will be announced within the next weeks.
Tickets for the „Universum Champions Night“ are available at:
Universum Ticket Hotline: + 49 40-696 559 59
CTS-Eventim Hotline: + 49 1805-57 00 00 or www.boxing.de
IBF Sanctions Karmazin vs. McKart for IBF Intercontinental Middleweight Title
Former World Champions To Fight For NABF and IBF I/C Belts
Two vacant titles will be up for grabs in the same fight this Saturday, December 20, 2008, at the Hollywood Park Casino in Inglewood, California when former World Champions, Roman “Made in Hell” Karmazin and Bronco “Superman” McKart, step into the ring against each other. Already approved for the vacant NABF Middleweight title, the bout between these two veterans of the ring will also be for the IBF Intercontinental Middleweight title. The winner of this important showdown will likely earn a top 5 ranking in the WBC and IBF and another world title opportunity.
Karmazin, from St. Petersburg, Russia, became the fourth World Champion in Russia’s history on July 14, 2005 when he dethroned Kassim Ouma for the IBF Light Middleweight title. The last time Karmazin fought in Los Angeles, he knocked out former world champion Alejandro Garcia in the 3rd round at Staples Center. Karmazin’s record is 36 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw, with 23 knockouts.
“I am very honored that the IBF and WBC/NABF are involved,” Said Karmazin. I was once the #1 Ranked fighter in the world by the WBC and the IBF’s World Champion so I am glad that I could fight for their titles again.”
McKart, the pride and joy of Monroe, Michigan, is the former WBO, IBA, and NABF Light Middleweight Champion. Fighting against fellow World Champions is nothing new for McKart. In his illustrious 16 year boxing career, McKart has fought several World Champions including Kelly Pavlik, Winky Wright, Travis Simms, Verno Phillips, and Raul Marquez. In his previous fight this past March, McKart fought to a draw with former World Champion Raul Marquez. McKart’s record is 51 wins, 8 losses, 1 draw, with 31 knockouts.
The “Season’s Beatings” Championship Boxing Show is presented by Art of Boxing Promotions in association with Bash Boxing and is sponsored by Affliction Clothing, Platinum Motor Sports, and www.1800thelaw2.com. Doors Open at 6pm at the Hollywood Park Casino in Inglewood, California.
Tickets for the event start at $50. To order tickets online, log on to www.artofboxingpromotions.com or www.bashboxing.com. Or call Art of Boxing Promotions at (818) 749-1571 or Bash Boxing at (213) 700-BASH (2274). Doors open 5:30PM, first bell rings at 6:00PM.
Over 1,500 Will Be At Manny’s Birthday Bash In Philippines
There are 1,500 invited guests – including Bob Arum, Freddie Roach, David Diaz and Marco Antonio Barrera – for Manny Pacquiao’s birthday party on Wednesday, Dec. 17 in General Santos, the Philippines.
Manny will celebrate his 30th birthday and his victory over the Golden Boy, Oscar De La Hoya, in the Dream Match.
It was Roach who put together the tactical blueprint for Manny in the fight against De La Hoya. “Before the fight I said if Manny follows the game plan we will win,” said Roach. “Manny followed it perfectly.”
Pacquiao, who earlier defeated David Diaz for the WBC lightweight title, met Diaz in Chicago during the Dream Match press tour which made a stop at the famous Sears Tower. Before the press conference, David and his wife met with Manny who embraced both of them and said “…you will always be my friend.”
“You are a great champion,” Diaz told him.
“I consider Muhammad Ali and Manny Pacquiao as the two greatest of all time,” Diaz said yesterday in the Philippines.
Pacquiao says he never throws a punch in anger.
“When I walk to the ring I think of all of my countrymen and everything builds up inside me,” Pacquiao said. “That’s when I fight as hard as I can and try to please everyone. My goal is to give the best fight I can.”
The guest list is 1,500 — including President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Alexander Yano — plus hundreds more who plan to head towards the festivities in General Santos.