Lamentablemente, el duelo entre el ruso Nikolai Valuev y el uzbeko Ruslan Chagaev no podrá llevarse a cabo en Helsinki, Finlandia. Este viernes, en el cheque médico previo a la cartelera, Chagaev no cumplió con los requisitos impuesto por la Comisión de Boxeo de Finlandia y su duelo de mañana por la corona pesada de la Asociación Mundial de Boxeo (AMB) fue suspendida.
Según la ley finlandesa, no se puede dar ningún detalle sobre los motivos de los problemas médicos, pero Chagaev no alcanzó las exigencias impuestas por la Comisión de Boxeo local. Según informes de prensa, Chagaev sufre de hepatitis.
"Desgraciadamente, no tenemos otra opción que anularlo todo. Nuestra prioridad es la salud de Chagaev y no podía estar asegurada", declaró el promotor Chris Meyer a la agencia AFP. "Me habría gustado participar en este combate, pero vistas las circunstancias, no es posible", comentó Valuev.
La pelea, prevista para hoy en la capital de Finlandia, iba a poner fin a la incertidumbre que rodea al campeón real del cinturón AMB de los pesados.
En abril de 2007, Chagaev había derrotado a Valuev, que hasta entonces estaba invicto. La revancha tenía que haberse celebrado un año más tarde, pero una semana antes del combate, todo fue anulado por una lesión del uzbeko en el tendón de Aquiles.
The much-anticipated rematch between WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev and Ruslan Chagaev has been called off after Chagaev was unable to fulfil medical requirements ahead of the bout.
The clash between Valuev and 'champion in recess' Chagaev, scheduled for tomorrow in Helsinki, was set to be the first heavyweight title fight staged on Finnish soil.
A statement released by promoters Sauerland this evening confirmed Chagaev had been "unable to fulfil the Finnish boxing federation's medical requirements" but added that local laws prevented the "disclosure of any further private health medical information".
"Unfortunately, we have no other chance but to call the whole show off," Sauerland event general manager Chris Meyer said.
"Our top priority is Nikolai's health and it could not be guaranteed."
Valuev, who will miss out on the chance to get revenge on the only man to beat him in a 51-bout career, added: "I would have loved to make this fight but given those circumstances it is not possible."
Organisers explored the possibility of drafting in a replacement opponent but with less than 30 hours' notice before the bout, arrangements could not be finalised with either Kali Meehan or Lamon Brewster.
Sauerland confirmed tomorrow's entire card at the Hartwall Arena had been cancelled following Chagaev's withdrawal.
The rematch had already been postponed twice before this latest setback, with injuries forcing Chagaev to pull out of meetings in May and July 2008.
The WBA eventually declared the Uzbeki 'champion in recess', while Valuev went on to win the vacant belt against John Ruiz last August.
Chagaev defeated Carl Davis Drumond in February in his first fight since rupturing his Achilles tendon last summer.
The clash between Valuev and 'champion in recess' Chagaev, scheduled for tomorrow in Helsinki, was set to be the first heavyweight title fight staged on Finnish soil.
A statement released by promoters Sauerland this evening confirmed Chagaev had been "unable to fulfil the Finnish boxing federation's medical requirements" but added that local laws prevented the "disclosure of any further private health medical information".
"Unfortunately, we have no other chance but to call the whole show off," Sauerland event general manager Chris Meyer said.
"Our top priority is Nikolai's health and it could not be guaranteed."
Valuev, who will miss out on the chance to get revenge on the only man to beat him in a 51-bout career, added: "I would have loved to make this fight but given those circumstances it is not possible."
Organisers explored the possibility of drafting in a replacement opponent but with less than 30 hours' notice before the bout, arrangements could not be finalised with either Kali Meehan or Lamon Brewster.
Sauerland confirmed tomorrow's entire card at the Hartwall Arena had been cancelled following Chagaev's withdrawal.
The rematch had already been postponed twice before this latest setback, with injuries forcing Chagaev to pull out of meetings in May and July 2008.
The WBA eventually declared the Uzbeki 'champion in recess', while Valuev went on to win the vacant belt against John Ruiz last August.
Chagaev defeated Carl Davis Drumond in February in his first fight since rupturing his Achilles tendon last summer.
The Guardian UK
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