Valuev Defend's Don King on Decision to Fight Haye

Posted by A. Shakoor on 11.19.2009

Doe Camp Valuev regret taking the Haye fight?

Nikolai Valuev has come out in support of his American promoter, Don King, on the dispute of whether King wanted Valuev to take the David Haye fight. There have been whispers in the media after the Nov. 7, unanimous decision, where Valuev lost his WBA heavyweight championship. The speculation is allegedly attributed to WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko and former WBO heavyweight champion Sultan Ibragimov. The alleged implication is that Valuev may have been set up by his co-promoters, Sauerland Event and Don King Productions, into taking a fight that was not in his best interests. Valuev however defends Don King on these claims:

"To avoid confusion or misunderstandings in this situation, I would like to note that my American promoter Don King was opposed to me fighting David Haye...In fact, Don King was upset when he learned that I had agreed to fight Haye." Valuev continued, "My German co-promoters [Sauerland Event] did not inform Don King while the negotiations for this fight were being made."