By James Slater: According to British Boxers.com, who were afforded an exclusive interview, unbeaten British heavyweight star Tyson Fury will next face experienced former WBA heavyweight champ Ruslan Chagaev. The fight is set for November (exact date and venue to be announced).
33-year-old Chagaev, 29-2-1(18) was once looked at as one of the very best heavyweights in the world. Known as “The White Tyson,” the southpaw had an excellent amateur career and his pro career went without a hitch until a 2009 corner retirement loss to world ruler Wladimir Klitschko (arguably Wladimir’s best-ever, most punch-perfect, performance) . Before that one-sided fight, that saw “Dr. Steel Hammer” sweep every minute of every round, Chagaev had, for just over two years, held the WBA crown. Wins over John Ruiz (a final eliminator) Nikolay Valuev, Matt Skelton and Carl David Drummond still look pretty good on the Uzbekistan’s record.
Since his best days, Chagaev has had health problems (hepatitis) and he has also endured long layoffs. 4-1(1) since the loss to Klitschko, Chagaev’s other loss came on points to Alexander Povetkin in a failed attempt at regaining the then vacant WBA strap. So-so wins over Kerston Manswell (WU8) and, last time out, Billy Zumbrun (TKO 3) have seen Chagaev keep a little more active as of late.
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