Vitali Klitschko says agreed to fight 'Russian Giant' Valuev

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WBC Heavyweight World Champion Vitali Klitschko of Ukraine said he has reached a preliminary agreement to fight WBA Heavyweight Champion Nikolai Valuev (50-1, 34 KOs) of Russia, the Sovetski Sport daily reported on Wednesday.

MOSCOW, June 24 (RIA Novosti) - WBC Heavyweight World Champion Vitali Klitschko of Ukraine said he has reached a preliminary agreement to fight WBA Heavyweight Champion Nikolai Valuev (50-1, 34 KOs) of Russia, the Sovetski Sport daily reported on Wednesday.

"I was pleasantly surprised when Nikolai called and told me that he wanted to meet me in the ring. I have accepted his challenge," the 37-year-old Ukrainian said adding that the agreement is preliminary and the details still need to be discussed.

He said that there was still a long way to go before a final deal was reached as unlike Valuev he and his younger brother make their own decisions as they promote their own fights.

"Nikolai's promoters make decisions for him - Wilfried Sauerland and the notorious Don King. Who knows whether they will want our fight? Therefore, there is no doubt that the talks on our bout with Valuev will not be easy," he said.

The Ukrainian boxer added that it was too early to talk about a possible date for the bout, but said that the venue could be Germany, Ukraine or Russia.

"Speaking of the date - let's not put the horse before the cart... Our bout, if organized, will enjoy huge interest in Russia, Ukraine and Germany. I think these are the countries we will choose from," he said.

If the bout is scheduled, the Ukrainian will have to face the 35-year-old Valuev before September, since it is the deadline for his mandatory title defense.

"Dr. Ironfist" Klitschko (37-2, 36 KOs) retired in November 2005 with a knee injury, but announced his comeback last year. He regained his WBC belt in October last year in Germany, defeating Samuel Peter, dubbed the Nigerian Nightmare.

Shortly after his victory over Juan Carlos Gomez of Cuba (44-2, 35 KOs) in March, Vitaly said: "the Klitschko brothers want to have all four of the heavyweight titles. We have three and only one is left. I want to fight Nikolai Valuev."

Vitaly's brother Wladimir Klitschko (53-3, 47 KOs) is currently the WBO and IBF heavyweight world champion.

 

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