Nikolai Sergeyevich Valuev is a Russian politician and former professional boxer.
23 Facts About Nikolai Valuev
2.
Nikolai Valuev competed in boxing from 1993 to 2009, and held the WBA heavyweight title twice between 2005 and 2009.
3.
Nikolai Valuev was born on 21 August 1973, in Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union.
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Nikolai Valuev is of ethnic Russian descent, but he had a Tatar grandfather.
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Nikolai Valuev has written a book in Russian called My 12 Rounds, with the help of Russian sports journalist Konstantin Osipov.
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In January 2006, Nikolai Valuev was accused of assaulting a security guard at the Spartak Ice Palace in Saint Petersburg.
7.
In 2005, Nikolai Valuev squared off with WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz, and won a twelve-round majority-decision, becoming both the tallest and heaviest champion in boxing history.
8.
Nikolai Valuev changed trainers, from Manuel Gabrielian to Alexander Zimin, who coached the old Soviet Union amateur boxing team.
9.
On 29 September 2007, Nikolai Valuev won against Jean-Francois Bergeron in Oldenburg, Germany, by a 12-round unanimous decision.
10.
On 16 February 2008, in a title eliminator, Nikolai Valuev defeated former titleholder Siarhei Liakhovich, winning every round at the Nuremberg Arena in Germany.
11.
Nikolai Valuev was scheduled to face Chagaev for his WBA title on 5 July 2008, but Chagaev pulled out with an injury.
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Nikolai Valuev instead fought John Ruiz for the vacant title on 30 August 2008 and the WBA decided to make Chagaev "Champion In Recess".
13.
Nikolai Valuev defeated Ruiz by unanimous decision to regain the WBA heavyweight championship, with Nikolai Valuev and Chagaev set to fight no later than 26 June 2009 to determine whom the WBA regarded as their champion.
14.
Nikolai Valuev announced his retirement from boxing in a Russian newspaper three days after the loss to Haye on 10 November 2009.
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In 2010, Nikolai Valuev's doctor went on record saying that he is treating Nikolai Valuev for "serious bone and joint problems".
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Nikolai Valuev underwent two operations that required at least six months on the sidelines.
17.
Nikolai Valuev confirmed in 2013 that medical advice was one of the reasons he is not planning to make a comeback in boxing.
18.
In 2008, Nikolai Valuev played the main role in the film Stonehead by Philip Yankovskiy, playing an ex-boxer who lost his memory.
19.
In December 2011 Russian parliamentary election, Nikolai Valuev became a member of the State Duma through the United Russia Party.
20.
On 17 December 2012, Nikolai Valuev supported the law in the Russian Parliament banning adoption of Russian orphans by citizens of the US.
21.
In September 2022, Nikolai Valuev revealed he had been drafted to serve in the Russian armed forces.
22.
In 2011, Nikolai Valuev became the general manager of the Russia national bandy team, and is tasked with developing the sport in the country.
23.
Nikolai Valuev is the Vice-President of the Russian Bandy Federation.