Vladimir Putin’s latest conscript will need extra meal rations and a custom-tailored uniform.
Nikolai Valuev, a 7-foot-tall, 350-pound former two-time world heavyweight champion, told the Russian news outlet Izvestia that he has been called on to fight in Ukraine. Valuev, who retired from the ring in 2009, said he intended to enlist immediately.
“In my opinion, everyone has received a summons, I also received a summons,” Valuev said. “Will I go? Of course, I will go to the enlistment office now.”
Looks like we are finally getting the Klitschko – Valuev showdown that Valuev backed down from in 2010.
My money is on Klitschko, HIMARS is going to give him an enormous reach advantage.
I am expecting a first round knockout. https://t.co/rP0Rf8mTTj
— Oliver Alexander (@OAlexanderDK) September 29, 2022
Valuev is the tallest world heavyweight champion of all time and posted a career record of 50-2-1. He lost his final fight to David Haye by decision. That fight followed a win over former heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield. Following his retirement, doctors warned him that degenerative bone and joint problems could jeopardize his longterm health.
After his ring career ended, Valuev, 49, became television host and a member of the Russian Duma, representing Putin’s United Russia Party. He has served in the nation’s parliament for a decade.
Valuev was in Donbas, the Russian-breakaway region of eastern Ukraine, when he was summoned. He said other members of parliament were also called to fight.
“My colleagues are good, they were registered for military service in the State Duma and received summons here, but I have to go home,” he said.
Putin is desperately trying to raise a bigger army after the invasion he launched in February has faltered. Russian soldiers have reportedly surrendered to their Ukrainian counterparts and men who are being called up are reportedly purposely breaking limbs to avoid fighting in the unpopular war.
Ukraine has a pair of former heavyweight champs in brothers Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko. Vitali, a three-time world champ who posted a 45-2 record, is now the mayor of Kyiv. Wladimir, who held world title belts twice and posted a career record of 64-5, was later engaged to actress Hayden Panettiere, with whom he had a child. Both Klitschko brothers enlisted in the Ukrainian army following the invasion.
Neither the Klitschko brothers nor Valuev ever fought each other during their careers.
