MOSCOW, June 7 (RIA Novosti) - Russian WBA champion Nikolai Valuyev wants to defend his heavyweight title in the United States, the boxer said Wednesday on his official Web site.
"It will be pleasure for me to fight again in America, the center of world boxing," Valuyev said.
He praises his manager in Germany Wilfried Sauerland and American promoter Don King for providing an opportunity to take on an opponent in the U.S., where he has not boxed since he was a contender.
Valuyev, "the Beast from The East", (44-0, 32 KO) won the WBA title December 17, 2005 by beating John Ruiz (U.S.) in Berlin, Germany. On June 3 he successfully defended it in Hanover, Germany, defeating challenger Owen Beck (Jamaica) with a 3rd round technical knockout.
"Plans for America are realistic," Valuyev's manager Boris Dimitov said. "A list of possible challengers has already been identified."
Valuyev, 32, became not only the first Russian boxer to win the WBA title but also the tallest and heaviest world boxing champion in history of the sport. He weighs 146 kilograms (322 pounds) and is seven feet tall.
