Don King & Sauerland Event Favor ‘60-40’ Split
King and Sauerland Event Make Counter Offer on Behalf of Nikolai Valuev
To Face WBC Heavyweight Champion Vitali Klitschko
DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla.—Don King Productions and Sauerland Event have countered K2 Promotions latest offer to former two-time World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Nikolai “Giant Russian” Valuev (50-2, 34 KOs) to face World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (39-2, 37 KOs) with a deal calling for a 60-40 percentage split.
“They approached us with a $1 million offer for Valuev to face Vitali, and Sauerland Event and I told them we would like $4 million for the fight,” King said. “Now they’ve come back to us with a $2 million guarantee. We countered with a 60-40 split of revenue.
“K2 is making the money more important than the attraction. They are promoting the money while I promote the attraction. The attraction recoups your investment and leads to profit. People-wise and money-wise, this is the way you have to think—and people-wise is the most important.”
King said he and Sauerland Event, on behalf of Valuev, are convinced that K2 Promotions, on behalf of Vitali Klitschko, are focusing on obtaining Valuev for the lowest amount of money when they should be focusing on auctioning the ability to host the event and television rights to the highest bidders.
“If K2 Promotions auctions off the rights to become the host site for this extravaganza as well as television rights to Germany, Russia and Ukraine, we believe that alone will bring in over $10 million,” King said. We are so confident in this that we are willing to risk guaranteed money in favor of 40 percent of the revenue stream, which we believe will bring team Valuev $4 million or more.”
Sauerland comments on Valuev – Haye
Team Sauerland believes there was nothing wrong with picking David Haye
as an opponent for Nikolai Valuev. The Russian Giant lost his WBA
Heavyweight Title on November 7 when the British challenger clinched a
majority decision in front of a sell-out crowd of 8,000 fans in
Nuremberg. The fight also drew a TV market share of more than 40 percent
in Germany. “After negotiations with Vitali Klitschko had fallen through
because he would not get back to us, we were looking for a new opponent
for Niko,” Team Sauerland General Manager Chris Meyer said. “After
Chagaev got beaten, Valuev had to fight Ruiz in a mandatory defence, but
Niko had already beaten him twice. This bout wasn’t marketable at all.
That is why we considered a showdown with up-and-coming David Haye the
far better option. All parties, and that includes Niko, his coach and
our partner Don King, agreed to the bout as there was no real
alternative. As the split decision indicates, it was a very close fight.
We expected Niko to dominate late in the fight, and had he won the final
two rounds, he would still be the champion. But David Haye put on a
great performance and left the ring as the winner. The contracts do
guarantee Niko a rematch and we are sure the outcome will be different
when the two meet again.”
Former Two-Time WBA Heavyweight Champion Nikolai Valuev Speaks Out About Decision to Fight David Haye
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia—Former two-time World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev felt compelled today to post comments on his company’s Website (www.box-way.ru) regarding his decision to agree to make an optional defense of his crown against David Haye in Nuremberg, Germany, which Haye won by majority decision.
Rampant speculation after the Nov. 7 match was fueled by press accounts attributed to World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko and former World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion Sultan Ibragimov implying Valuev may have been set up by his co-promoters, Sauerland Event and Don King Productions, into taking a fight that was not in his best interests.
“To avoid confusion or misunderstandings in this situation, I would like to note that my American promoter Don King was opposed to me fighting David Haye,” Valuev wrote. “In fact, Don King was upset when he learned that I had agreed to fight Haye.”
“My German co-promoters [Sauerland Event] did not inform Don King while the negotiations for this fight were being made. In the press, allegations that the American promoter supported this fight are unfounded and false. The choice of the opponent was made by Wilfried Sauerland. The idea to make this fight with David Haye came from Sauerland Event.”
CONGRATULATIONS TO DAVID HAYE ON WINNING THE HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE THIS PAST SATURDAY!
“HAYEMAKER” BECOMES GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS’
NEWEST HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
FOLLOWING WIN OVER NIKOLAI VALUEV
LOS ANGELES, November 9 – It was a historic night in the Arena Nürnberger Versicherung in Nuremberg, Germany Saturday night, as London’s David “Hayemaker” Haye became the first British-born Heavyweight World Champion since Lennox Lewis and joined Evander Holyfield as the only former Cruiserweight World Champions to own a heavyweight title. Haye defeated seven-foot giant Nikolai Valuev via majority decision to claim the WBA Heavyweight World Title becoming Golden Boy Promotions’ newest Heavyweight World Champion.
“We’re very proud of David and what he accomplished Saturday night,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “The odds were stacked against him, but he kept his focus, stuck to his game plan and put that title belt around his waist. This is a new era for the heavyweight division and I can’t wait to see what mountains David will climb next.”
“David looked tremendous during his 12-round battle with Valuev,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “I’m really impressed with his skills inside of the ring and his charisma outside of the ring. We are going to do everything we can to get David the big fights so he can unify the heavyweight division and put it back on the boxing map.”
The charismatic Haye (23-1, 21 KO’s) has been one of the UK’s most popular boxing figures thanks to his exciting style, punching power, charisma and quick wit. He won the Cruiserweight World Title in just his 21st professional fight when he knocked out Jean-Marc Mormeck in seven rounds in 2007, and then quickly unified three of the cruiserweight titles in his next fight by stopping Enzo Maccarinelli in two rounds. He began his assault on the heavyweight division in 2008 and on Saturday night, the six-foot three inch, 218-pound Haye gave up nearly a foot in height and 98 pounds in weight to Russia’s Valuev, but with a disciplined and effective fight plan, the 29-year-old earned the WBA Heavyweight World Title by scores of 116-112, 116-112 and 114-114.
The Golden Boy Promotions team congratulates David Haye, it’s newest Heavyweight World Champion and will announce future plans for Haye shortly.
Haye beats Valuev to clinch WBA Heavyweight Title – 40,5 % peak market share on German TV
David Haye is the new WBA Heavyweight Champion after clinching a points
victory over Nikolai Valuev. Fighting in front of a sell-out crowd of
8,000 fans in Nuremberg, Haye was ahead 116-112 on two cards, with the
third judge ruling the contest a 114-114 draw. The clash drew a
sensational peak market share of 40,5 percent (8,4 million viewers) on
German free-to-air giant ARD. “It’s a dream come true,” Haye enthused
afterwards. “I’ve fought the biggest heavyweight champion of all time
and caught him with big shots. My speed was key tonight. He has a
granite chin and took my punches. I’m a guy who says what he thinks and
sometimes that upsets people but I’m full of respect for Valuev, he
showed he can take some big shots.”
And he added: “The title means everything to me. From when I was a baby
I said I would be the heavyweight champion of the world. People doubt my
skills, people know I’m a puncher, a brawler but I’ve got skills when I
have to. It wasn’t as smooth as I made out but I did enough to win and
that’s all I care about.”
The Russian Giant was disappointed after his second defeat in 53 fights.
“The fight reminded me of a marathon,” he said. “I had to run and chase
him down all the time. For me it was more like a track and field
competition. I had problems hitting him, he was very fast. I think the
12th round also made the difference.”
In the final round, Haye wobbled his opponent with a huge left uppercut.
Throughout the entire 12 rounds, he had used his speed to stay out of
trouble while launching occasional and well-timed attacks. “The plan was
to make Nikolai miss and it worked,” Adam Booth said. “David stuck to
the game plan well and fought a great fight.”
Alexander Zimin called the contest “a strange one”. He said: “There was
a lot of running. David was very fast and he seemed to get even faster
in the last six rounds. Nikolai did not what we had trained for. His
attacks were not executed well. I don´t really know what I can say about
this fight – it was strange.”
Wilfried Sauerland congratulated Haye on a strong performance. “It was a
very tactical fight and David´s tactics prevailed. He was running around
for 2:50 in every round and then landed two punches. He has obviously
watched the Holyfield fight and learned from it. He deserved to win, it
was a strong performance. But I have no doubts that Nikolai will bounce
back.”
Next up for David Haye is the mandatory defence against John Ruiz, who
scored a seventh-round TKO victory over Adnan Serin. “Ruiz is a strong
fighter, but I will knock him out,” Haye predicted.
Chris Meyer, General Manager of Team Sauerland, is looking forward to
working with Team Haye. “Congratulations to David for a great fight,”
Meyer said. “The cooperation with David and Adam has been exceptionally
good and we look forward to working with Hayemaker during the next
couple of fights.”
Also on the undercard, Scandinavian heavyweight hopeful Robert Helenius
stopped Taras Bidenko, who retired after the third round. Cruiserweight
star Alexander Frenkel stopped former champion Kelvin Davis in the first
round. Gifted Bulgarian heavyweight Kubrat Pulev also clinched a points
victory over Gbenga Oloukun.
“DAVID vs. GOLIATH” PPV WEIGHTS & FACT SHEET
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Versischerung Arena, Nuremberg, Germany
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS
WBA HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (12) – MAIN EVENT – PPV
Nicolai Valuev (50-1, 34 KOs), WBA Champion, St. Petersburg, Russia 314.6 LBS.
vs.
David Haye (22-1, 21 KOs), Challenger, London, England 216.7 LBS.
HEAVYWEIGHTS (10) – CO-FEATURE – PPV
John Ruiz (43-8-1, 29 KOs), Chelsea, Massachusetts, USA 226 LBS.
vs.
Adnan Serin (19-10-1, 7 KOs), Aachen, Nordrhein, Germany 214.5 LBS.
UNDERCARD (some of these fights, or highlights, may also air on PPV)
HEAVYWEIGHTS (8)
Sergei Liakhovich (23-3, 14 KOs), Vitebsk, Belarus 232.8 LBS.
vs.
Jeremy Bates (22-16-1, 18 KOs) 231.4 LBS.
Robert Helenius (9-0, 5 KOs), Berlin, Germany 248.8 LBS.
vs.
Taras Bidenko (26-3, 12 KOs), Hamburg, Germany 215.4 LBS.
CRUISERWEIGHTS (8)
Alexander Frankel (20-0, 16 KOs), Wirzberg, Bayern, Germany 193.4 LBS.
vs.
Kelvin Davis (24-10-3, 17 KOs), Reno, Nevada, USA 196.2 LBS.
FACT SHEET
WHEN: Saturday, November 7, 2009 – 3 PM/ET 12 PM/PT
WHERE: Nuremberg, Germany
PROMOTER: Wilfried Sauerland’s Sauerland Event and its Managing Director, Christian Meyer, in association with Don King Productions
PAY-PER-VIEW INFORMATION: The broadcast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 3 PM/ET – 12 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN, DISH Network, Viewer’s Choice, Shaw PPV and Bell TV for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. A replay will be shown that same night at 9 PM/ET, 6 PM/PT.
PAY-PER-VIEW ANNOUNCERS: World Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Col. Bob Sheridan (blow-by-blow) and former NFL player and veteran boxing announcer Benny Ricardo (color analyst)
INFORMATION: www.integratedsportsnet.com
Integrated Sports is North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events is Integrated Sports. Among the many events brought to North American viewers by Integrated Sports include World Championship and world-class boxing matches featuring Ricky Hatton, Christian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Ivan Calderon, Rocky Martinez, Nicolai Valuev, Amir Kahn, Marco Antonio Barrera, Arthur Abraham, and Ruslan Chagaev. In addition, Integrated Sports has distributed numerous International soccer matches showcasing teams like Club America of Mexico and the National Team of Argentina, and World Championship and world-class mixed martial arts shows featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Bobby Lashley, Bob Sapp, Jeff Monson, and Roy Nelson. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit www.integratedsportsnet.com.
Don King Productions has promoted over 500 world championship fights with nearly 100 individual boxers having been paid $1 million or more. DKP also holds the distinction of having promoted or co-promoted seven of the 10 largest pay-per-view events in history, as gauged by total buys, including three of the top five: Holyfield vs. Tyson II, 1.99 million buys, June 1997; Tyson vs. Holyfield I, 1.6 million buys, November 1996; and Tyson vs. McNeeley, 1.58 million buys, August 1995.
DKP has promoted or co-promoted 11 of the top 20 highest-grossing live gates in the history of the state of Nevada including five of the top seven: Holyfield vs. Lewis II, paid attendance: 17,078, gross: $16,860,300 (NOTE: Also second-highest live-gate gross for any event in the history of the world.), date: Nov. 13, 1999; Holyfield vs. Tyson II, paid attendance: 16,279, gross: $14,277,200, date: June 28, 1997; Holyfield vs. Tyson I, paid attendance: 16,103, gross: $14,150,700, date: Nov. 9, 1996; Tyson vs. McNeeley, paid attendance: 16,113, gross: $13,965,600, date: Aug. 19, 1995; and Trinidad vs. De La Hoya, paid attendance: 11,184, gross: $12, 949, 500. Sept. 18, 1999
Vested interest in Valuev-Haye WBA Title Fight for former champ Ruiz
“David vs. Goliath” PPV card live Saturday from Germany
NUREMBERG, Germany (Nov. 5, 2009) – The most interested spectator Saturday in Versicherung Arena for the WBA heavyweight title fight between defending Nikolai “The Russian Giant” Valuev and challenger David “The Haymaker” Haye will be former 2-time WBA title-holder John “The Quietman” Ruiz.
Ruiz (43-8-1, 29 KOs), the WBA top contender, agreed with the promoters for Valuev and Haye to “step aside” as the WBA “Official Challenger.” By defeating ex-IBU champion Adnan “Aachen Assassin” Serin (19-10-1, 7 KOs) in Saturday’s 10-round co-feature on the “David vs. Goliath” Pay-Per-View event, he is guaranteed a title bout against the Valuev-Haye winner by the end of May, 2010.
Valuev-Haye is promoted by Wilfried Sauerland’s Sauerland Event and its Managing Director, Christian Meyer, in association with Don King Productions. The “David vs. Goliath” show is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 3 PM/ET – 12 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN, DISH Network, Viewer’s Choice, Shaw PPV and Bell TV for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. A replay will be shown that same night at 9 PM/ET, 6 PM/PT.
Ruiz doesn’t necessarily care who wins the title fight between Valuev (50-1, 34 KOs), who “The Quietman” has dropped two close decisions to in Germany, and London-based Haye (22-1, 21 KOs). He will be watching Valuev-Haye closely, though, after his scheduled PPV-opening bout against Serin.
“I’m 0-3 in Germany and 6-0 fighting in England,” Ruiz joked, “so I guess I’d rather fight Haye. “I’m really looking forward to this fight. I know no fight is easy and that I have to get past this one to get the winner of Valuev-Haye. I know there’s another world title fight in the horizon for me, but I have to win this fight to get the next one.
“I’m very happy that my fight is going to be on pay per view in North America. My fans and media there haven’t been able to watch my last few fights because they weren’t televised there. They think I still fight the same way (clutch-and-grab), but I’m much more aggressive, and now they’ll be able to see how much I’ve improved. I’ve been working hard the past three months with my new head trainer, Miguel Diaz, and assistant (former WBA bantamweight) Richie Sandoval. Somewhere along the line, I got away from the basics, and we’ve been working in that area. I had been leaning in and landing too close to my opponent, which resulted in a lot of clutching and grabbing. We’ve improved my style; I’m more aggressive now, moving more and getting hit less.”
Additional undercard bouts and highlights will also air on PPV. Two other former world champions are on the card, heavyweight Sergei Liakhovich (23-3, 14 KOs) and cruiserweight Kelvin “Concrete” Davis (24-10-3, 17 KOs) vs. Jeremy “The Best” Bates (22-16-1, 18 KOs) and unbeaten IBF No. 10 rated Alexander Frankel, respectively. Undefeated WBC & WBA No. 3 rated cruiserweight Francisco “The Wizard” Palacios (18-0, 11 KOs) is also on the undercard versus DeLeon Tingsley (9-4-1, 5 KOs).
For more information about the Valuev-Haye PPV go to www.integratedsportsnet.com.
Integrated Sports is North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events is Integrated Sports. Among the many events brought to North American viewers by Integrated Sports include World Championship and world-class boxing matches featuring Ricky Hatton, Christian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Ivan Calderon, Rocky Martinez, Nicolai Valuev, Amir Kahn, Marco Antonio Barrera, Arthur Abraham, and Ruslan Chagaev. In addition, Integrated Sports has distributed numerous International soccer matches showcasing teams like Club America of Mexico and the National Team of Argentina, and World Championship and world-class mixed martial arts shows featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Bobby Lashley, Bob Sapp, Jeff Monson, and Roy Nelson. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit www.integratedsportsnet.com.
Don King Productions has promoted over 500 world championship fights with nearly 100 individual boxers having been paid $1 million or more. DKP also holds the distinction of having promoted or co-promoted seven of the 10 largest pay-per-view events in history, as gauged by total buys, including three of the top five: Holyfield vs. Tyson II, 1.99 million buys, June 1997; Tyson vs. Holyfield I, 1.6 million buys, November 1996; and Tyson vs. McNeeley, 1.58 million buys, August 1995.
DKP has promoted or co-promoted 11 of the top 20 highest-grossing live gates in the history of the state of Nevada including five of the top seven: Holyfield vs. Lewis II, paid attendance: 17,078, gross: $16,860,300 (NOTE: Also second-highest live-gate gross for any event in the history of the world.), date: Nov. 13, 1999; Holyfield vs. Tyson II, paid attendance: 16,279, gross: $14,277,200, date: June 28, 1997; Holyfield vs. Tyson I, paid attendance: 16,103, gross: $14,150,700, date: Nov. 9, 1996; Tyson vs. McNeeley, paid attendance: 16,113, gross: $13,965,600, date: Aug. 19, 1995; and Trinidad vs. De La Hoya, paid attendance: 11,184, gross: $12, 949, 500. Sept. 18, 1999.
Former Heavyweight Champion, Undefeated Cruiserweight Added to Valuev vs. Haye Card in Nuremberg on Saturday
Former WBO Heavyweight Champion Sergei ‘White Wolf’ Liakhovich
Returns to Ring Against Jeremy Bates; Undefeated Cruiserweight
Francisco ‘The Wizard’ Palacios to Meet DeLeon Tinsley
NUREMBERG—Two of Don King’s top fighters have been added to Saturday’s card headlined by World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Nikolai “Russian Giant” Valuev his title opposing David “Hayemaker” Haye in Nuremberg, Germany, at Versicherung Arena.
Former World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion Sergei “White Wolf” Liakhovich (23-3, 14 KOs) will face dangerous veteran Jeremy “The Beast” Bates (22-16-1, 18 KOs), and undefeated cruiserweight Francisco “The Wizard” Palacios (18-0, 11 KOs) will meet DeLeon Tinsley (9-4-1, 5 KOs). Both matches are scheduled for eight rounds.
Liakhovich, from Vitebsk, Belarus, now fighting out of Scottsdale, Ariz., won the WBO heavyweight crown by upsetting “Relentless” Lamon Brewster in one of the best heavyweight fights of 2006.
In his next match, Liakhovich surrendered his title in the waning seconds of a fight he had all but won against Shannon “The Cannon” Briggs. Liakhovich had built a sizeable scorecard lead going into the 12th and final round, but he courageously stood in the middle of the ring and traded punches with Briggs, which resulted in Liakhovich suffering two knockdowns in the final 30 seconds, costing him the fight and title.
Liakhovich dropped a unanimous decision to Valuev on Feb. 16, 2008, also in Versicherung Nuremberg Arena, but did not fight at his normal level. Liakhovich recently revealed that he had been hampered by a nagging and persistent injury, which he says is now fully healed.
Palacios, from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, is an undefeated and fast-rising cruiserweight with knockout power. He is currently ranked No. 3 by both the World Boxing Council and WBA. His ring exploits have already earned him a continental title, and—if he keeps up his winning ways—he will soon receive his first chance at a world championship.
Valuev-Haye is promoted by Wilfried Sauerland’s Sauerland Event and its Managing Director, Christian Meyer, in association with Don King Productions. The pay-per-view telecast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 3 PM/ET – 12 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN, Viewer’s Choice, Shaw PPV and Bell TV for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. A replay will be shown that same night at 9 PM/ET, 6 PM/PT.
Two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (43-8-1, 29 KOs), the current WBA No. 1 rated and “official challenger,” takes on ex-IBU champion Adnan “Aachen Assassin” Serin (19-10-1, 7 KOs) joins Valuev-Haye on the United States pay per view. Additional undercard bouts will also air on this PPV telecast.
For more information about the Valuev-Haye PPV go to www.integratedsportsnet.com.
Integrated Sports is North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events is Integrated Sports. Among the many events brought to North American viewers by Integrated Sports include World Championship and world-class boxing matches featuring Ricky Hatton, Christian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Ivan Calderon, Rocky Martinez, Nicolai Valuev, Amir Kahn, Marco Antonio Barrera, Arthur Abraham, and Ruslan Chagaev. In addition, Integrated Sports has distributed numerous International soccer matches showcasing teams like Club America of Mexico and the National Team of Argentina, and World Championship and world-class mixed martial arts shows featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Bobby Lashley, Bob Sapp, Jeff Monson, and Roy Nelson. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit www.integratedsportsnet.com.
Don King Productions has promoted over 500 world championship fights with nearly 100 individual boxers having been paid $1 million or more. DKP also holds the distinction of having promoted or co-promoted seven of the 10 largest pay-per-view events in history, as gauged by total buys, including three of the top five: Holyfield vs. Tyson II, 1.99 million buys, June 1997; Tyson vs. Holyfield I, 1.6 million buys, November 1996; and Tyson vs. McNeeley, 1.58 million buys, August 1995.
DKP has promoted or co-promoted 11 of the top 20 highest-grossing live gates in the history of the state of Nevada including five of the top seven: Holyfield vs. Lewis II, paid attendance: 17,078, gross: $16,860,300 (NOTE: Also second-highest live-gate gross for any event in the history of the world.), date: Nov. 13, 1999; Holyfield vs. Tyson II, paid attendance: 16,279, gross: $14,277,200, date: June 28, 1997; Holyfield vs. Tyson I, paid attendance: 16,103, gross: $14,150,700, date: Nov. 9, 1996; Tyson vs. McNeeley, paid attendance: 16,113, gross: $13,965,600, date: Aug. 19, 1995; and Trinidad vs. De La Hoya, paid attendance: 11,184, gross: $12, 949, 500. Sept. 18, 1999.
Valuev: “Haye´s comments have been very motivating
WBA Heavyweight Champion Nikolai Valuev has promised “something special”
for David Haye when they clash in the ring on Saturday night. The
Russian Giant cannot wait to let his fists do the talking after the
challenger has wasted no chance to hurl insults at the biggest and
tallest champion of all time. “His comments have been very motivating,”
Valuev said. “But let´s see what Haye has to offer inside the ring. I
don´t think he will be able to follow it up. But I will not
under-estimate him.”
Haye was brimming with confidence when he spoke in front of a packed
press conference today. “He hasn’t fought anyone of my calibre; he’s
never fought anyone in their prime or someone so fired up,” the
challenger said. “I’m not one of these guys he’s used to fighting. I’m
not over-the-hill, I’m not tainted, I’m not past my sell-by-date. I am
fresh, I am ready.”
And he added: “Training has gone great and I am going to make him look
silly on Saturday night. I am going to embarrass him, knock him out.
He’s never fought anyone as fast or who punches as hard as me, or as
accurate. I know he feels I’m a little mouthy man from England, but he’s
gonna be in for a rude awakening when that bell goes.”
Asked what he makes of Haye´s prediction to knock him out, Valuev
replied: “He can say what he wants. I have heard that from many
opponents before. It is not going to happen. I will win.” Manager
Wilfried Sauerland was also surprised about the challenger´s confidence.
“I don´t know where he takes it from,” he said. “He is untested at
heavyweight and got knocked down a lot of times in his career. Now he is
facing a proven champion with 50 victories, so I really wonder why he is
so optimistic.”
“The Hayemaker” ready to slay “The Russian Giant” in Saturday’s WBA Heavyweight Title Fight
David vs. Goliath” PPV card live from Germany
HOBOKEN, N.J. (Nov. 3, 2009) – A brash, confident David “The Haymaker” Haye is going for a knockout Saturday against 2-time and reigning World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Nikolai “The Russian Giant” Valuev in their 12-round title fight headlining the “David vs. Goliath” Pay-Per-View event being shown in North American live from Nuremberg, Germany.
Haye, (22-1, 21 KOs), from London, ruled the cruiserweight division as unified champion – defeating world champions Enzo Maccarinelli, Jean Marc Mormeck, Giacobbe Fragomeni and “King” Arthur Williams – before moving up to the heavyweight division a year ago.
“I’ll go out there and look to knock Valuev clean out,” the outspoken Haye didn’t pull any punches. “That’s the way I want to win every fight and this fight is not going to be any different. I’ll become the new WBA world heavyweight champion on November 7. I’ll do it with speed. Fast, explosive movements and clever movements are the way to beat Valuev. Ruslan Chagaev outpointed him simply by being the cleverer and slicker fighter. He moved when he had to and he threw shot when he had to. I’m quicker and more explosive than Chagaev.”
Valuev-Haye is promoted by Wilfried Sauerland’s Sauerland Event and its Managing Director, Christian Meyer, in association with Don King Productions. The broadcast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 3 PM/ET – 12 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN, DISH Network, Viewer’s Choice, Shaw PPV and Bell TV for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. A replay will be shown that same night at 9 PM/ET, 6 PM/PT.
The quick, hard-punching Haye will not be deterred by spotting the 7-foot, 325-odd pound Valuev (50-1, 34 KOs), from St. Petersburg, Russia, about 100 pounds and 9-inches. “I don’t care what I weigh,” David answered a question about his expected weight on fight night. “I haven’t looked at the scales all through training camp. So long as I’m fit and sharp at the weight, I’m not bothered what the scales say. As far as bring my power up, I have no doubt I’ll hit hard enough to knock out top heavyweights. I’ve never been in the ring with an opponent – amateur, sparring, or as a pro – who hasn’t respected my punching power. I’ve floor top heavyweights, in the gym and in the ring, and none of them can ever believe how hard I punch for a smaller guy.
“It’s never much fun getting hit by a man weighing 23 stone, so I’m not underestimating the power he generates. He must hit fairly hard. Technically, he does most things right. He’s a well-schooled fighter that has improved over the years. Saying that, though, his last five fights have gone the distance, and I certainly don’t think he’s the fearsome and terrifying puncher he perhaps should be for a man of that size.”
Two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (43-8-1, 29 KOs), the current WBA No. 1 rated and “official challenger,” meets ex-IBU champion Adnan “Aachen Assassin” Serin (19-10-1, 7 KOs) in the opening live PPV bout on the Valuev-Haye. Additional undercard bouts will also air on the PPV telecast.
For more information about the Valuev-Haye PPV go to www.integratedsportsnet.com.
Integrated Sports is North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events is Integrated Sports. Among the many events brought to North American viewers by Integrated Sports include World Championship and world-class boxing matches featuring Ricky Hatton, Christian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Ivan Calderon, Rocky Martinez, Nicolai Valuev, Amir Kahn, Marco Antonio Barrera, Arthur Abraham, and Ruslan Chagaev. In addition, Integrated Sports has distributed numerous International soccer matches showcasing teams like Club America of Mexico and the National Team of Argentina, and World Championship and world-class mixed martial arts shows featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Bobby Lashley, Bob Sapp, Jeff Monson, and Roy Nelson. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit www.integratedsportsnet.com.
Don King Productions has promoted over 500 world championship fights with nearly 100 individual boxers having been paid $1 million or more. DKP also holds the distinction of having promoted or co-promoted seven of the 10 largest pay-per-view events in history, as gauged by total buys, including three of the top five: Holyfield vs. Tyson II, 1.99 million buys, June 1997; Tyson vs. Holyfield I, 1.6 million buys, November 1996; and Tyson vs. McNeeley, 1.58 million buys, August 1995.
DKP has promoted or co-promoted 11 of the top 20 highest-grossing live gates in the history of the state of Nevada including five of the top seven: Holyfield vs. Lewis II, paid attendance: 17,078, gross: $16,860,300 (NOTE: Also second-highest live-gate gross for any event in the history of the world.), date: Nov. 13, 1999; Holyfield vs. Tyson II, paid attendance: 16,279, gross: $14,277,200, date: June 28, 1997; Holyfield vs. Tyson I, paid attendance: 16,103, gross: $14,150,700, date: Nov. 9, 1996; Tyson vs. McNeeley, paid attendance: 16,113, gross: $13,965,600, date: Aug. 19, 1995; and Trinidad vs. De La Hoya, paid attendance: 11,184, gross: $12, 949, 500. Sept. 18, 1999.
ESPN News- Junior welterweight titlist Timothy Bradley Jr. signs with HBO March 12, 2010Junior welterweight titlist Timothy Bradley Jr., the No. 1-rated 140-pounder in the world since pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao's exit from the division, will switch to HBO. […]Dan Rafael
- Manny Pacquiao, Joshua Clottey practice civility at news conference March 10, 2010Manny Pacquiao, Joshua Clottey practice civility at news conference. […]Calvin Watkins
- Manny Pacquiao plans to entertain at post-fight party March 10, 2010Manny Pacquiao has big plans for Saturday night -- after his fight against Joshua Clottey. […]Associated Press
- Muhammad Ali visits San Francisco Giants' clubhouse March 9, 2010Muhammad Ali showed up in the San Francisco Giants' clubhouse as part of a campaign for his charity. […]Associated Press
- Judge dismisses felony coercion charge in battery case against Roger Mayweather March 9, 2010A court clerk says a judge dismissed a felony coercion charge against boxing trainer Roger Mayweather, who faces trial June 1 on allegations that he beat and choked a female boxer at a Las Vegas apartment he owned. […]Associated Press
- Floyd Mayweather Jr. associate faces charges in Vegas shooting March 9, 2010Police say an associate of boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been arrested on attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon charges in an August shooting outside a Las Vegas skating rink. […]Associated Press
- Promoter Bob Arum expects sellout for Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey fight at Cowboys Stadium March 9, 2010Promoter Bob Arum said he expects a sellout for the Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey fight at Cowboys Stadium. […]Calvin Watkins
- Britain's Amir Khan to defend WBA light welterweight title against American Paulie Malignaggi March 9, 2010Amir Khan of Britain will defend his WBA light-welterweight title against American challenger Paulie Malignaggi on May 15 at New York's Madison Square Garden. […]Associated Press
- Devon Alexander stops Juan Urango to unify WBC, IBF light welterweight titles March 9, 2010Devon Alexander knocked out Juan Urango with a right uppercut at 1:12 of the seventh round to unify the WBC and IBF light welterweight titles on Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena. […]Associated Press
- Vitali Klitschko to fight Albert Sosnowski in WBC heavyweight title defense March 9, 2010Vitali Klitschko will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Polish-born fighter Albert Sosnowski on May 29. […]Dan Rafael
- Junior welterweight titlist Timothy Bradley Jr. signs with HBO March 12, 2010
