Here Comes 'The Giant': Valuev vs. Barrett
By Julian Kasdin (Oct 5, 2006)
This Saturday HBO championship boxing brings us ‘The Russian Giant’ Nikolay Valuev, 44-0 (32), in the second defense of his WBA heavyweight title against Monte ‘Two Gunz’ Barrett, 31-4 (17), in what should be an interesting night. This will be the first glimpse most American boxing fans get of Valuev, who has spent much of his career in relative obscurity, and his opportunity to make an unforgettable first impression. From the time he steps over the ropes – you read that correctly – till the final bell Valuev’s every move will be judged as people decide whether or not this is a heavyweight they can get excited about. Some have decided to brand Valuev as nothing more than a sideshow, while others are begrudgingly beginning to respect this mountain of a man, and still others believe that as the only undefeated champion he deserves the respect that a 44-0 record warrants.

With all the above being said some people might be wondering what happened to Monte Barrett? Well fear not, I did not forget that he is on the card, and I am well aware that Monte has taken the 0 off of two fighters in the last three years.
Can Monte do to Valuev what he did to Guinn and Beck? Or will Valuev pull a Wladimir Klitschko against Monte?

Let’s look at both fighters. Monte has a decent amateur background and the sound technical skill that it bestows on any fighter. He does not possess great power, but he does have respectable pop and underrated ring savvy. Monte is basically two fighters in one, he can either be a non-stop pressure fighter, or a slick boxer. Against Valuev I think he should be the latter. Monte is probably not going to hurt Valuev, but he can possibly outbox the slower giant. Barrett has faced a very high level of competition throughout his career which includes fights against Wladimir Klitschko, Lance Whittaker, Robert Davis, Joe Mesi, Dominick Guinn, Owen Beck and Hasim Rahman. He has had his fair share of success by beating Davis, Guinn and Beck, and almost beating Mesi. Valuev will be, by far, the strongest man Barrett has ever faced. That said he is not the hardest hitting, and that is why I believe it is in Monte’s best interest to outbox the big man.

Valuev is a relative unknown to most Americans. We all know that he is big and undefeated. Most of the time, as is par the course with most boxing writers, we hear about he is only a titleholder because the division is in such a sad state. Well, despite what some think, Valuev is a solid fighter. He possesses solid skill and a relatively expansive arsenal that includes an educated jab, hard right hand and a powerful uppercut. He is a hard working fighter that can go the full twelve. Valuev is not just a head hunter, as he is perfectly willing to hammer home hard uppercuts to the body which can easily wear down his opposition. Valuev also has not fought the terrible opposition that many of his critics have accused him of facing. Valuev has wins over Attila Levin, Gerald Nobles, Paolo Vidoz, Richard Bango, Clifford Etienne, Larry Donald, John Ruiz and Owen Beck. Valuev has to impress the American public, and the truth is at this point he will only really get one shot to do it. He has to press Barrett and use his size, strength, and vastly underrated punching power, to batter and bruise Barrett into submission.

I like both fighters going into this fight. I think both Nikolay and Monte are two of the good guys in boxing. That said I do need to pick a winner and I have to go with Valuev. I think Valuev is too strong, too large, and with his improving skill and power all around too much for Barrett. I do not see Monte as being able to hurt him, and while I can see Monte maybe out-boxing him for a few rounds I think that eventually Valuev will just be too hard to keep off. All one needs to really do is look at their one common opponent, Owen Beck, to get an idea of the different physical tools both men possess. Barrett fought nine hard rounds with the then undefeated Beck. Valuev, on the other hand, absolutely obliterated Beck in three rounds. Look for Valuev to stalk and eventually stop Barrett within five rounds.


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Julian at: Alcaldemb@aol.com
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