Kali Meehan’s promoter Don King sent over the following video message to Ruslan Chagaev: „Meehan will knock out Chagaev! He is not prepared for the Aussie. He will come, he will seek, he will destroy Chagaev. May 22 that’s the date. Mark it down, we want everyone to be there. It’s going to be a great night, great fights. I feel so good to be back home in Germany. Get me the Eisbein and we will drink a beer! Ich liebe dich, Rostock. Ich liebe dich, Peter Kohl – mein Bruder!!.“
Ruslan Chagaev replied to this video from the USA: „Don King has a big mouth but to me this is just a show. I’m ready for this fight and I’m in the best shape of my life. I must win and I will. I’m always thinking positiv and to me this is a big chance to have a shot for the world title once again. Some time in the future I want a rematch fight against Wladimir Klitschko but only under the circumstances of a regular preparation. It has been a long time, having not fought in eleven months but I needed this time. I took time to think and to do changes. I’m very optimistic and fit. I’m looking forward to Rostock! I like to fight against taller opponents and it’s not a problem for me.“
Chagaev trainer Magomed Schaburow: „We felt like first grader as we had to get to know each other right from the start. We have talked a lot and now were are a great team. During the training camp in Sölden in February we had three sessions a day and this was aimed to set up the basis for the whole year. His fitness level is perfect and he is ready. For us Meehan is not a dark horse and we have studied him carfully and found his strengths and weaknesses.“
„Universum-Vice“ Dietmar Poszwa: „For us and Ruslan this eliminator fight is something special. Ruslan has the perfect age for a heavyweight fighter as he is 31 years old. Other fighters such as Wladimir Klitschko had lost a fight at this age. I’m very happy for Ruslan that he will get the chance to fight for the world title soon. Besides I’m happy for Vitali Tajbert and he will also have a very tough fight in his first title defense. I’m looking forward to many more title defenses of Vitali.“
Vitali Tajbert will be defending his WBC title for the first time
In the co-feature of the Rostocker „Universum Champions Night“ the Stuttgart based Vitali Tajbert (19-1, 6 KOs) will be defending his world title for the first time. The newly crowned WBC super featherweight world champion won this title on November 21 2009 in Kiel when he defeated the Mexican Humberto Mauro Gutierrez and claimed the WBC Interim title. The current champion at that time Humberto Soto decided to step up in the weight division so that Vitali Tajbert was named the full WBC Super Featherweight world champion. His opponent will be announced within the next days.
Vitali Tajbert: „In the past months many people have asked me how worth this title is and I tell them that you can not compensate it. It took me 17 years of my life and I have worked every day for the past 5 years as a pro. I want to the WBC champion as long as possible. To me the WBC is the most popular and well- established santioning body in the boxing business. Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis had been world champions of the WBC. I would have been Olympic champion in 2004 and not only in third place if Magomed Schaburow would have been my trainer at that time. I’m the first german champion in the Super Featherweight division and I’m trying to make this division more popular in germany. In the rest of the world it is already highly recognized.“
Vitali Tajbert: „Ruslan has the other skills in boxing, the punching power but everyone can score a knockout! I’m displaying a different style, more focussed on the technical skills. When I was young I got up at 4 am just to watch Mike Tyson and could go back to bed after the first round. That was annoying because you wanna see 12 rounds of boxing and fascinate the fans. If there is a knockout, why not.“
ZDF will televise the WBA eliminator fight between Chagaev vs. Meehan in Rostock live from 11:00 pm. The highlights of the title defense of Vitali Tajbert will be shown afterwards. Additional fights will be announced within the next days.
Tickets for the „Universum Champions Night“ on May 22nd 2010 at the StadtHalle Rostock are available at:
Universum Ticket Hotline: +49-40-696 559 59
CTS-Eventim Hotline: +49-1805-57 00 00
Ruslan Chagaev vs. Kali Meehan on May 22
May 22nd 2010 will be the moment of truth for Ruslan Chagaev (25-1-1, 17 KOs). The former heavyweight world champion (2007-2009) will return to fighting action at the Hanseatic city of Rostock. At the StadtHalle Rostock Universum Box-Promotion will stage the official WBA eliminator at the heavyweight division. Chagaev’s opponent will be the tough Australian Kali Meehan (35-3, 29 KOs). The winner of this highly anticipated fight willl be named the mandatory challenger for reigning WBA champion David Haye assuming that he will win his upcoming fight against John Ruiz.
Ruslan Chagaev returns to the ring after an eleven months lay-off. In his last battle he fought in front of 60.000 people at the Veltins-Arena in June 2009 he was defeated by IBF and WBO world champion Wladimir Klitschko. Now working with coach Magomed Schaburow he is ready and extremely motivated to recapture the WBA crown. In April 2007 he spectacularly defeated the Russian Giant Nicolay Valuev and claimed the WBA belt.
His opponent now, with the birthname Kalivath Gerald Meehan, is a very experienced contender. The fighter of Wyongah/Australien is promoted by Don King. The battle Chagaev vs. Meehan is once again a challenge of heights. # 3 WBA rated Chagaev is 6′ 1 while # 2 WBA rated Meehan stands at 6′ 5.
Chagaev promoter Klaus-Peter Kohl: „It will be a highly interesting challenge and for both boxers this fight will be very important. The loser will be left in the dust. Ruslan has learned from his defeat against Wladimir Klitschko and he favours taller boxers. He has what it takes to earn another shot at the WBA world champion.“