Nikolai Valuev returns to the ring to face former WBO champion Sergey Liakhovic in Germany on Saturday night.
Russian ready for Liakhovich bout
Nikolai Valuev returns to the ring to face former WBO champion Sergey Liakhovic on Saturday night, with both men knowing a win would set-up a title shot against WBA champion Ruslan Chagaev.
The two heavyweights will battle it out in Nuremberg, with Valuev in particular determined to put on an impressive display.
The 7ft 1in Russian is taking part in his second fight since he lost the WBA title to Chagaev in April, and he knows a win in Germany would give him another shot at the Uzbek champion.
Valuev enjoyed a comeback points win over Jean-Francois Bergeron in September and his manager Wilfried Sauerland is confident the 34-year-old will soon reclaim a major world title belt.
Sauerland said: "Both Valuev and Liakhovich are very strong. But I know that Nikolai has looked great in practice.
Dramatic
"For me, he is the best heavyweight in the world. But this is a make-or-break fight for him."
Liakhovich is returning to the ring for the first time since he lost his WBO title in dramatic fashion to Shannon Briggs in 2006.
The Belorussian was ahead on the scorecards, but with only seconds remaining was knocked out by the American, who claimed the belt.
It remains to be seen how Liakhovich will respond to that major setback, but on his way to previously claiming the crown he showed enough power to be able to threaten Valuev.
The 31-year-old's manager, Ivaylo Gotsev, said: "I have been working with him since 1996 and I can say that we will see the best Liakhovich ever.
"He is the best-kept secret in heavyweight boxing."
