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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 8:03 a.m., Thursday, April 23, 2009

Boxing: Valuev-Chagaev fight set for Helsinki

Associated Press

FRANKFURT — The WBA heavyweight title fight between Nikolai Valuev and Ruslan Chagaev on May 30 will be held in the Finnish capital of Helsinki.

Sauerland Promotions said Thursday the fight will be staged at the Hartwall Arena.

Chagaev won the WBA version of the heavyweight title by beating Valuev in Stuttgart on April 14, 2007. He had to pull out of a rematch twice because of a ruptured Achilles' tendon and was declared "champion in recess" by the WBA. Because of his status, he has to fight Valuev by the end of June.

Valuev won the vacant title in August by beating John Ruiz, then defended it in December against former champion Evander Holyfield.

"The day has come to settle the score," Valuev said. "I have been waiting for two years to make amends. Only a victory over Chagaev can put my mind at rest.

"Now is the time to end all this confusion. There will only be one WBA heavyweight champion after May 30 and that will be me."

Chagaev won a technical decision over Carl Davis Drumond on Feb. 7, in the Uzbekistan-born heavyweight's first fight in more than a year.

Chagaev was ahead of Drumond on points when the bout was stopped after the sixth round because of a cut over Chagaev's swollen left eye.

Chagaev's record is 25-0-1, with 17 KOs. Valuev is 50-1, with 34 KOs.