Valuev v Haye gets green light
Saturday, 19 September 2009Nikolai Valuev will defend his WBA heavyweight title against England's David Haye in Germany on 7 November, organisers have confirmed.
The fight, originally announced in July, had been in doubt over a legal wrangle involving American John Ruiz, who claimed he was Valuev's mandatory challenger.
German promoters Sauerland have reached a deal with Ruiz's team to allow the Valuev-Haye fight to go ahead, and revealed the bout between the 7ft 1in champion and his 6ft 3in challenger will take place at Nuremberg's Arena Nurnberger Versicherung.
Valuev, 36, defeated Sergei Liakhovich at the same venue in February 2008 and the Russian's management team admitted their delight at returning to the 10,000-seater arena.
'We are delighted to return to Nuremberg,' Team Sauerland general manager Chris Meyer said.
'Niko only has the best of memories of the Arena Nurnberger Versicherung. That is where he displayed one of the best performances of his career.'
Promoter Kalle Sauerland added: 'After all the trash talk from David Haye, it is about time that someone shuts him up.
'I am sure Niko will gratefully accept this task. It will be a battle of David against Goliath but this time, Goliath wins.'
Former cruiserweight champion Haye, 28, has been confidently talking up his chances of becoming the first man to floor the giant Valuev, but the Russian has been left unimpressed by his opponent's verbal outbursts.
'He can say what he wants,' said Valuev. 'I look forward to fighting in Nuremberg again. I will continue where I left off against Liakhovich.
'Haye is a strong challenger, but he will not beat me.
'I will defend my title and calm Haye down.'
