Konstantin Tszyu, ex-world champion:
- I believe that Valuev will again become a champion. First of all, due to his character - at Kolya he is fighting. Only with him can you go this way. When no one believed in him, and some ridiculed him at all, Valuev continued to fight and believed in himself. Therefore, a defeat from Chagaev, if forced to lower his head, then not for long. When I lost to Hatton, I didn’t turn on my mobile phone for a month and a half and could not watch any more boxing bouts. But over time, it has passed. Will pass and Kolya.
Vladimir Gendlin, TV commentator:
- It all depends on the level of opposition. Given the heavyweight situation, where the desert is now complete, apart from one or two good boxers, Valuev has few competitors. And the chance to return the title is great. You yourself see what kind of level these all Donalds, Brock, Austins and the like have. If this situation had been ten years earlier, when whatever heavyweight, then the star would say that there are almost no chances. And now I’m sure that such influential promoters as King and Sauerland will do everything for Valuev to return the belt. This is already a question of their viability. Both financial and professional.
Boris Lagutin, two-time Olympic champion:
- Nikolai’s defeat from Chagaev cannot be considered symbolic or fatal. Honored - yes, he could not properly prepare for the battle, tune in, choose the right tactics. But all the great boxers had defeats, and many of them were the ones who made them work harder and achieve previously unattainable heights. I think that both Nikolai and his team will draw the right conclusions from failure. Valuev’s potential is not exhausted; he has room to grow and improve. If his coaching staff eliminates the shortcomings that led to the defeat, our boxer will again be the champion.
Andrey Shkalikov, two-time European champion, matchmaker:
- Today I talked with Nikolai on the phone and according to his mood I realized that the defeat from Chagaev was not a fatal blow. I am one hundred percent sure: Valuev will return the championship title through the fight. Kolya just became a real boxer, his last fights were really champion level. And I see no reason why one defeat will break all the work done. Until the fall, when Valuev returns to the ring, a lot of work will be done by his new and old coaches: they will make a harder blow, increase speed. Many believe that Nikolai can be prevented by injuries. But this is a fallacy. Boxing is impossible without injuries. When you are under forty, they really get in the way and often even a boxer of the highest level is forced to lose, because his body lets him down. Kolya is only 33. This is the peak age for heavyweight.
Andrey IVANTSOV