Klitschko v Chagaev preview: This just might be a classic

by Dan Hunter – And I thought football was a funny old game.

Two weeks ago, we were looking forward to Britain’s David Haye challenging Ukrainian Vladimir Klitschko for his IBF and WBO world heavyweight titles in Germany. Haye´s ingratiating personality and penchant for self promotion and publicity stunts, his undoubted charisma, talent, speed and punch had contributed to a 60,000 sellout at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, the home of Bundesliga side FC Shalke this weekend..

One stunt in particular which saw Haye turning up at a press conference wearing a t-shirt depicting himself in the ring holding the severed heads of both Vladimir and his brother, WBC heavyweight champion Vitali, had the effect of infuriating both brothers and sending ticket sales into overdrive.

And then suddenly, the fight was off. David Haye had pulled out of the biggest fight of his life, with…a back injury.

Not a cut eye, not a broken rib. A back injury.

But the genuine disappointment boxing fans the world over felt at last week’s news of the cancellation of the Haye v Klitschko fight has been quickly replaced by the genuine intrigue and high expectation of what is potentially a classic encounter that has evolved as a result; the unification fight between 33 year old Klitschko (52-3, 46 ko´s), and the WBA heavyweight champion, Uzbekistan’s 30 year undefeated Ruslan Chagaev (25-0, 1 draw, 17 ko´s).

The fight goes ahead on the same night, Saturday June 20, and at the same venue, the Veltins-Arena, as the original Haye – Klitschko fight.

This is a highly unusual and indeed unique encounter, unlike any other in the history of the division. Unusual in that the fight has only come about as the hybrid of two other postponed bouts.

Unique in that the two best fighters in the division have agreed to meet each other on a weeks notice.

I can think of no other instance of that happening in any division ever before.

Granted, there were several variables that fell into place to make this fight possible.

Last weekend, southpaw Chagaev was set to defend his title against the man he had won it from in 2007, the 7´2´´, 330 lb ´´Beast of the East“ Nikolay Valuev of Russia, the fight taking place in Helsinki, Finland. This in itself was a big promotion, and 15,000 tickets had been sold.

Now here’s where things begin to get a little strange.

The day before the fight, we heard the news that Ruslan Chagaev had failed a medical. Finnish officials said “Chagaev has been unable to fulfill the Finnish Boxing Federation’s medical requirements,” and gave no further details. Federation president Pertti Augustin and press spokesman Pekka Kaidesoja refused to offer explanations, saying “it’s against Finnish law to do so.”

The rumor was that a blood test had shown him to have Hepatitis A.

Of course, Chagaev couldn’t fight. Boxing is a blood sport, and a cut fighters blood will not just end up on his opponent, it could spray over the first four rows at ringside. Valuev offered to have a vaccination shot so the fight could go ahead, but it couldn’t, of course. The same law would apply had the fight taken place in the UK or the US.

But not, apparently, in Germany.

A little wheeling and dealing and all of a sudden, Klitschko v Haye has been replaced by Klitschko v Chagaev, a fight that may not be as potentially explosive, but could in fact be a much better contest. The arena and date are unchained, and the fight, if anything is a bigger attraction to the German fans that will turn up in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday, as both Klitschko and Chagaev have fought most of their bouts in Germany, and are huge stars there.

What we have now is a dream match up between the 6´7´´ 245 lb, upright, classic boxing Klitschko, with his rapier left jab and pulverizing right cross, but somewhat suspect chin, and the shorter, stockier, Chagaev, ( 6´1´´, 230lbs) who can both box and brawl, is extremely durable and has a great boxing brain.

Whereas it would appear that Klitschko has all the advantages, certainly in terms of size, lets not forget that Chagaev was the man who solved the problem of how to beat the much bigger Valuev, giving away a foot in height and 100 lbs in weight. Size wont be an issue, certainly not to Chagaev.

Both these men were outstanding amateurs. Klitschko was the 1996 Olympic super heavyweight gold medal winner in Atlanta. Chagaev was a two-time world amateur champion, a victory over the great Felix Savon being one of the highlights of his amateur career.

Klitschko has by far the more impressive record when it comes to the professional ranks. Although he has been stopped three times, the last by Lamont Brewster in 2004, he has convincingly defeated Samuel Peter, Hasim Rahman, Ray Austin, Chris Bird, Sultan Ibragimov and Tony Thompson, among many others, including crushing Brewster in a rematch. Under the tutelage of the legendary Emanuel Steward, Klitschko has become tighter defensively, and his stamina, something he may need in abundance against Chagaev, had greatly improved. He can sometimes be overly cautious, as seen in his notorious snore fest against Ibragimov in Madison Square Garden in 2007, a bout that damaged the credibility of former Eastern block fighters. This Saturday’s bout is Klitschko’s chance to put the record straight.

The biggest victories on Chagaev´s record are three decisions against the aforementioned Valuev, former WBA champ John Ruiz, and Britains Matt Skelton. Chagaev is a compact, quick moving boxer. He appears to have the build of a brawler, indeed his nickname in Uzbekistan is White Tyson, but he is much more a skilled technician than a slugger. He looks shorter than he really is, and his slightly pudgy appearance is deceiving. He is super fit, and has stamina in abundance.

There is a mutual respect between Klitschko and Chagaev, something that definitely wasn’t there in the build up to the Haye fight. But have no doubt both men will want to leave the ring holding all the belts. This fight should bring out the very best of both men, but I think that on the night Chagaev may have a little too much hustle and bustle for Klitschko. He may have to climb off the canvas to do it, but I see Chagaev emerging with either a decision or a late stoppage win.

Haye v Chagaev at the Emirates or Stamford Bridge later this year? Bad backs and blood tests aside, lets dare to dream!