The AAPRP has called for the world heavyweight title fight between Wladimir Klitschko and Ruslan Chagaev to be postponed.
AAPRP call for Chagaev bout to be postponed
The American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians has called for the world heavyweight title fight between Wladimir Klitschko and Ruslan Chagaev to be postponed due to medical safety issues.
Uzbek southpaw Chagaev has been diagnosed with hepatitis B - the reason for the late cancellation of his WBA title fight against Nikolai Valuev in Finland last month.
The severity of the virus has prompted to AAPRP to voice their concerns over the bout and the following statement has been issued: "Hepatitis B is a very virulent virus and easily transmitted.
"It is even more important to be prudent in order to not only protect Mr Chagaev's opponent, but also the referee, judges, sanctioning body officials, cornermen, ringside physicians and ringside observers who may be at risk of contracting this dangerous virus.
"As boxing is obviously considered a 'blood sport', it is very common for blood to splatter on the individuals immediately adjacent at ringside.
Inoculated
"The conjunctiva (eye) route of transfer for this virus is well documented so any person seated at ringside, who is not immunised, may be at risk."
IBF and WBO heavyweight champion Klitschko, though, insists the fight must go ahead and claims he has the right inoculation to avoid contracting the virus.
"I am inoculated," said Klitschko. "Since I often travel in my role as an UNESCO Ambassador, I am often in the tropical institute getting injections."
Chagaev has stepped in to take on the 33-year-old at the Gelsenkirchen stadium after a back injury ruled out British challenger David Haye.
Victory would see the 30-year-old land both of Klitschko's belts and ease the disappointment of losing out on the Valuev fight and the chance to be undisputed WBA champion.
Impressive
"I was furious and shocked when I heard the Valuev fight was off," he said.
Since he turned professional in 1997, Chagaev has 25 wins, one draw and 17 knockouts to his record.
But Klitschko - otherwise known as Dr Steelhammer - has an impressive 46 knock-outs from 52 fights and is eager to seed a message to the United States with a comprehensive victory over Chagaev.
"It's funny to hear the Americans say the heavyweight division is dead because in Europe the feeling is different," said Klitschko.
"The criticism of the heavyweight division is there but it's going to change some day.
"Forty-six opponents didn't make the distance out of 55 against me, so is that a boring record? I believe that my timing is getting better and in his thirties a heavyweight fighter is getting stronger."
