MOSCOW, February 3 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's WBA
Heavyweight Champion Nikolai Valuev has opened a professional
boxing school in his hometown of St. Petersburg, the boxer's
website said on Tuesday.
The school, which will be under Valuev's personal
supervision, is situated near the Prospekt Bolshevikov metro
station in the southeast of Russia's second largest city and is
currently open to boys aged eight and older.
Valuev became Russia's first world heavyweight champion in
December 2005 when he defeated John Ruiz. In 2007 he was just a
few steps behind the record of legendary Rocky Marciano, who
retired with a 49-0 record as the only ever undefeated
heavyweight champion, but lost his title bout to Ruslan "White
Tyson" Chagaev of Uzbekistan, suffering his first and so far
only defeat.
Valuev, dubbed the Russian Giant, and Chagaev later
scheduled a rematch, which did not take place due to Chagaev's
injury and the Uzbek boxer was announced champion in recess.
Last December Valuev defeated former U.S. world champion
Evander Holyfield on points in a bout in Switzerland.