HOBOKEN, N.J. (December 11, 2008) – Integrated Sports will distribute the December 20th heavyweight showdown between 2-time and reigning World Boxing Association champion Nikolay “The Russian Giant” Valuev and future Hall of Famer Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield, on pay-per-view in the United States and Canada, live from Zurich, Switzerland. Holyfield is attempting to make boxing history by defeating the largest man ever to hold a heavyweight championship..
Valuev-Holyfield 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 by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 3 PM/ET – 12 PM/PT on cable pay-per-view via iN Demand and TVN for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. Award-winning announcers Nick Charles and Al Bernstein will call all of the action.
“We excited to be distributing this historic heavyweight battle between the seven-foot Russian Giant, Nicolay Valuev, and a true living legend, Evander Holyfield,” Integrated Sports president Doug Jacobs said. “The Valuev-Holyfield card will be broadcast during the afternoon, so it won’t interfere with holiday plans. Strong supporting bouts, including two title fights, will also be shown on this pay-per-view card.”
The 12-round main event pits the WBA heavyweight champion — 7’ 0”, 320-pound Valuev (49-1, 34 KOs) – versus former 4-time WBA title-holder Holyfield, who stands 6’ 2 ½” and weights approximately 215 pounds.
Valuev, who captured the WBA title with a 12-round decision against John Ruiz this past August, has lost only once, last year to Ruslan Chagaev, who is the WBA heavyweight “Champion in Recess” due to an injury.
The WBA No. 12 rated Holyfield, fighting out of Atlanta (GA), is also a 4-time former heavyweight champion, having defeated Buster Douglas, Riddick Bowe, Mike Tyson and John Ruiz for his titles. Holyfield was also an Olympic medallist and a past unified world cruiserweight title-holder. He is trying to surpass the legendary George Foreman as the oldest boxer in history to win a version of the heavyweight championship.
Also on PPV is an 8-round super middleweight bout between Danish southpaw Mads “Golden Boy” Larsen (50-2, 37 KOs), former IBO title-holder, and 5-time world kickboxing and Thai boxing champion, Roberto Cocco (9-2, 5 KOs), from Italy.
Highlights from some other fights on the card, time permitting, may be shown including a 12-round co-feature matching two undefeated heavyweights, German-based, Italian-born southpaw Francesco Pianeta (17-0, 11 KOs) defending his European heavyweight title against French challenger Johann Duhaupas (17-0, 10 KOs); former New York Knicks dancer Eileen “The Hawaiian Mongoose” Olszewski (5-2-1, 0 KOs) defending her WIBA flyweight title against undefeated German favorite Nadia Raoul (9-0, 3 KOs); heavyweight Oleg Platov (26-1, 22 KOs) versus Jason Gavern (15-4-3, 8 KOs), cruiserweights Jimmy Kapanov (8-0, 5 KOs) and Paolo Ferrara (25-13-1, 7 KOs); heavyweight Timor Ibragimov (24-2-1, 13 KOs) vs. TBA.
For more information about the Valuev-Holyfield PPV go to www.integratedsportsnet.com.
New opponent for “Beibut The Beast” Shumenov
BELLEVUE, Washington (December 11, 2008) – Former Kazakhstan Olympian Beibut “The Beast” Shumenov (6-0, 5 KOs) has a new opponent for Saturday night’s 10-round main event, Epifanio “Diamente” Mendoza, after former world cruiserweight champion Kelvin Davis pulled out of their scheduled fight in Bellevue, Washington.
Shumenov’s new KZ Event Promotions presents Saturday’s show at Meydenbauer Center. He has already captured three titles – WBC Asian Boxing Council, WBO Asia Pacific and PABA Interim light heavyweight championships. His last fight was a one-sided victory by 12-round decision against former WBC title-holder Montell “Ice” Griffin (50-8, 30 KOs).
Two fights ago, Columbian knockout artist Mendoza (28-5-1, 24 KOs) lost to Chad Dawson for the WBC light heavyweight title. Mendoza has won several regional titles including the WBC Fecarbox, WBC Latino, WBA Fedecentro, WBC Latin American and NABA belts.
CLEVERLY ALREADY LINED UP FOR ANOTHER TEST
Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly is preparing for a tough test on Friday night – but an even tougher examination next week.
Cleverly will make the first defence of his title against Douglas Otieno at the Kingsway Sports Centre, Widnes tomorrow, with Sky Sports televising live.
And next week the Cardiff University student will attempt to become a member of MENSA, sitting the exam in Cardiff.
Ironically, if he does get in, he’ll become the second boxer from South Wales to hold the Commonwealth light-heavyweight Crown and be a MENSA member, following in the footsteps of Nicky Piper.
But Cleverly, 21, is aiming to go one better than Piper – and eventually win a world title.
“I’ve been having a chat with Nicky, and we’ve discussed boxing tactics – and the kind of questions I might get asked by MENSA,” said Cleverly.
“Along with Joe Calzaghe, Nicky was one of my heroes when I was growing up, and it makes me proud to hold the same belt that he does.
“I remember watching him trying to win a world title, and he came so close, especially against Leeonzer Barber.
“It’s always been my ambition to get my hands on a world title, and hopefully that will happen in the next couple of years.”
Unbeaten in 13 fights, Cleverly has to get special dispensation from his lecturers to fight, but has so far successfully combined academic studies with boxing.
“I like to use my brain when I box, so its important to keep it in as good a shape as my body,” said Cleverly.
“But to be honest, I’m probably more nervous about my exam next week than my fight against Otieno. Boxing has always come naturally to me, but I really have to work at being clever!”