WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev is looking for revenge in Saturday's eagerly awaited re-match with Ruslan Chagaev.
Russian looking to beat Chagaev in clash of champions
WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev is looking for revenge in Saturday's eagerly awaited re-match with Ruslan Chagaev.
The Russian giant lost to 'champion in recess' Chagaev back in April 2007 in a close majority decision - the only defeat in his 50-fight career, including 34 KOs.
The seven-footer is now itching to "finally set the record straight" in the re-match, which has been postponed twice because of injuries to Chagaev.
Valuev said: "This loss still haunts me. I think about it all the time. Now is the time to finally set the record straight. I want to make up for the defeat and beat Chagaev. I am glad we finally get the chance to fight."
Chagaev (25-0, 17 KOs) had to pull out of the pair's proposed meetings in May and July 2008, leading the WBA to eventually declare the Uzbeki 'champion in recess', while Valuev went on to win the vacant belt against John Ruiz last August.
This has left the boxing world with two champions in one association - not an ideal situation, according to Valuev.
Confusion
"Enough is enough," he said. "Nobody understands the confusion with champion and 'champion in recess'. After May 30, there will just be one champion - me."
But Chagaev believes he can do the double on his opponent in the showdown in Helsinki's Hartwall Arena - the first-ever heavyweight title fight on Finnish soil.
"I have beaten him once so I will beat him again," declared Chagaev, who defeated Carl Davis Drumond in February in his first fight since rupturing his Achilles tendon last summer.
He added: "I know what to do. The size difference is no problem for me at all which I proved in the first fight.
"I have fully recovered from my Achilles injury and I look forward to defending my title tomorrow night. I am in great shape."
Coach Michael Timm also believes Chagaev is raring to go.
Energy
"Ruslan has put so much energy into his comeback," he said.
"He has been working very hard. He is thrilled to finally fight against Valuev. It is not just tough for the small guy to fight a bigger one but also the other way round. We are very confident of success."
The winner of Saturday's fight could be in line for a clash with one of the Klitschko brothers, who hold the IBF/WBO (Wladimir) and WBC (Vitali) belts.
But Valuev is remaining focused on Saturday's fight.
"First things first," he said. "I want to win on Saturday and then of course fulfil my dream of unifying the titles."
