WBA Heavyweight Championship: ALEXANDER POVETKIN vs. RUSLAN CHAGAEV Live to the U.S. Exclusively on EPIX and EpixHD.com‏

-Live world championship boxing returns to EPIX when undefeated 2004 Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist ALEXANDER POVETKIN and former World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion RUSLAN CHAGAEV square-off for the vacant WBA heavyweight title, Saturday, August 27th. Presented by Sauerland Event, the live broadcast will emanate from Erfurt, Germany.

The battle between the two highest world-rated heavyweight contenders will be televised live in the U.S. exclusively on EPIX, the multiplatform premium entertainment service. EpixHD.com will stream the fight live as part of a free two-week trial offer. The live broadcast and the live stream on EPIX and EpixHD.com, respectively, will begin with the main event at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT.

Following the Povetkin-Chagaev WBA heavyweight championship, the broadcast and live stream will continue with undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) and WBA Intercontinental heavyweight champion ROBERT HELENIUS defending his regional titles against former WBO heavyweight champion SIARHEI LIAKHOVICH.

As has become the custom, EPIX will once again present the closed-captioned simulcast of both fights on a jumbotron in Times Square (Broadway between 44th and 45th Sts.), beginning at 5 p.m. ET.

Povetkin, Chagaev, Helenius and Liakhovich boast a combined record of 88-4-1 (58 KOs) – a 95% winning percentage and a victory by knockout ratio of 66%.

“EPIX looks forward to providing U.S.-based boxing fans exclusive live coverage of the Povetkin- Chagaev heavyweight title fight and presenting a preview of the heavyweight division’s next generation of world champions and title challengers,” said Travis Pomposello, EPIX senior executive in charge of boxing.

“I have won the Olympic gold medal and I have been World and European Amateur Champion. Now I want to finally accomplish my goal of winning the world title as a professional,” added Povetkin. “I have a lot of respect for Chagaev, but he will not get in my way.”

“Povetkin is a strong fighter, but I want to become world champion again and win back my old title. I am highly motivated,” said Chagaev.

Povetkin (21-0, 15 KOs), of Russia, is currently the WBA’s No. 2 world-rated heavyweight contender. His resume includes a knockout victory over former two-time heavyweight champion Chris Byrd, and unanimous decision victories over one-time heavyweight title challenger Eddie Chambers and former U.S. Olympians Jason Estrada and Larry Donald. Povetkin enters this fight having won three of his last four bouts by knockout. Povetkin has been promoted by Sauerland Event throughout his entire professional career.

Chagaev (27-1-1, 17 KOs), a native of Ukraine who fights out of Berlin, Germany, captured the WBA heavyweight title when he dethroned 7-foot defending champion Nikolai Valuev via a majority decision in April 2007. During his two-year reign, Chagaev successfully defended his title twice, winning decisions over Matt Skelton (21-1) and Carl Drumond (26-0). Since losing to Wladimir Klitschko in 2009, Chagaev has defeated Kali Meehan and Travis Walker en route to becoming the WBA’s No. 1 heavyweight contender.

Helenius (15-0, 10 KOs), a native of Finland who fights out of Berlin, Germany, will be looking to make Liakhovich his third former heavyweight champion knockout victim having already starched Lamon Brewster and Samuel Peter in eight and nine rounds, respectively. He enters this fight having won nine of his last 10 fights by stoppage and world-rated No. 2 by the WBO and No. 3 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF).

Liakhovich (25-3, 16 KOs), a native of Belarus, fights out of Phoenix, Ariz. He won the WBO heavyweight championship in 2006, dethroning defending champion Lamon Brewster via a unanimous decision. He lost the title, in his first defense, to Shannon Briggs. Liakhovich enters this fight having won his last two fights by knockout against Jeremy Bates and Evans Quinn, in the first and the ninth round, respectively.

Mike Crispino, the voice of the New York Liberty, former undisputed World Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis and ESPN.com senior boxing writer Dan Rafael will be calling the fights for EPIX and EpixHD.com. Viewers watching the live stream on EpixHD.com will enjoy round-by-round blogs from Sports Illustrated’s boxing writer Chris Mannix.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians Statement: Postpone Klitschko-Chagaev Fight "Due to Medical Safety Issues" By Eddie Goldman

It may seem incredible that they even have to do this, but the
American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians (AAPRP)
(http://aaprp.org/) issued a statement Thursday, June 18, calling for
the June 20 heavyweight title boxing match between Wladimir Klitschko
and Ruslan Chagaev to be postponed "due to medical safety issues".

Wladimir Klitschko


The reason is clear and simple, as the May 30 WBA title fight between
Ruslan Chagaev and Nikolai Valuev was cancelled because Chagaev had
tested positive for the hepatitis B antigen. That fight was scheduled
to take place in Helsinki, Finland, and most places around the world
which host major boxing events do not permit fighters with this
dangerous and infectious disease to compete.

The Klitschko-Chagaev fight, however, is scheduled to take place in
Gelsenkirchen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, and the authorities in
charge of this fight have far less comprehensive medical requirements
for fighters than those in North America, the UK, and much of the rest
of the world do.

The AAPRP statement refutes what they say has been some of the
misinformation widely circulated in the media about the dangers of
hepatitis B, and what is being proposed for the safety measures for
this fight.

While this fight is being held in Germany, boxing is an international
sport, and the fight will be telecast in the US on ESPN Classic. It is
also for a series of heavyweight belts, including that of the American-
based The Ring magazine, whose parent company, Sports and
Entertainment Publications, LLC, is a subsidiary of Golden Boy
Enterprises, whose president is the famed boxer and now promoter,
Oscar De La Hoya. So there is much interest in this fight in America,
and especially in an organization like AAPRP.

We also discussed this issue at length on my podcast, No Holds Barred,
with Dr. Joseph Estwanik, who serves on the AAPRP Board of Directors.
You can play or download that edition of No Holds Barred at
http://nhbnews.podomatic.com/entry/2009-06-16T14_28_53-07_00. You can
also download that edition of No Holds Barred at http://www.mediafire.com/?dtanmmchmyg.

The AAPRP web site is at http://aaprp.org . Here is the full text of
their statement:

As it has been reported that Mr. Ruslan Chagaev has tested positive
for the Hepatitis B Virus, the American Association of Professional
Ringside Physicians (the “AAPRP”) is recommending that the proposed
contest between Mr. Ruslan Chagaev and Mr. Vladimir Klitschko be
postponed due to medical safety issues. The AAPRP also recommends that
this fight not take place and suggests that Mr. Chagaev not be
permitted to fight (anyone) until, and unless, he can demonstrate a
"negative hepatitis status.

In several recent media accounts, it has been stated that Mr. Chagaev
has a “low hepatitis B viral load” and therefore poses “no risk” of
transmitting this dangerous virus. The AAPRP disagrees with this
assertion. Although the risk of transmission of the Hepatitis B Virus
may be minimal, the risk is not zero. Additionally, given the fact
that 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. The
conjunctiva (eye) route of transfer for this virus is well
documented....so any person seated at ringside, who is not immunized,
may be at risk.

Furthermore, statistics suggest that if Mr. Chagaev were to share
needles with another individual, the transmission rate of Hepatitis B
could be as high as 30%. If blood from a cut on Mr. Chagaev were to
come into direct contact with a cut on another fighter, the
transmission rate could be as high as 10%. Should blood squirt from
Mr. Chagaev and hit another individual in the eye (i.e. Judge,
referee, cornerman or media) the transmission rate could be as high as
5%. Therefore, the risk is obviously greater than zero and could put
others at ringside (beside his opponent) at risk for acquiring this
virus.

Unless everyone at ringside (Judges, referees, ringside physicians,
commission members, sanctioning body officials, trainers, cornermen,
media reporters, ring girls, television technicians, spectators and of
course the fighters opponent) has documented immunity to Hepatitis B
(a three shot hepatitis immunity vaccination series given over a 6
month period with a subsequent documented blood test confirming
immunity), protection against exposure to this dangerous virus cannot
be guaranteed. Finally, if bleeding does occur, the individuals
responsible for cleaning the ring as well as those handling the gloves
must also be immune to minimize the risk as well.

The American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians considers
safety our number one priority and will work with local and
international commissions to insure that all precautions are taken to
protect all individuals involved in professional boxing.

For more information, please contact the AAPRP.

See you at the Fights.
Thanks for your time.

Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

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Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com

©®™2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, Khris Kirkpatrick Morrisey for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

No Holds Barred: Wladimir Klitschko-Ruslan Chagaev Hepatitis B Controversy, with Dr. Joseph Estwanik

No Holds Barred: Wladimir Klitschko-Ruslan Chagaev Hepatitis B Controversy, with Dr. Joseph Estwanik

http://nhbnews.podomatic.com/entry/2009-06-16T14_28_53-07_00

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with noted ringside physician Dr. Joseph Estwanik about the controversy involving the June 20 fight in Germany between Wladimir Klitschko and Ruslan Chagaev for several heavyweight boxing belts.

Chagaev had been scheduled to face Nikolai Valuev May 30 in Finland, but that fight was cancelled after a prefight blood test found Chagaev to be positive with the hepatitis B antigen. The next week, when David Haye pulled out of a scheduled June 20 fight with Wladimir Klitschko because of a training injury, Chagaev was chosen to replace Haye as Klitschko's opponent.

Yet, according to the standards of the American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians (http://aaprp.org/), on whose Board of Directors Dr. Joseph Estwanik serves, "If a fighter is Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Positive (reactive), they have Hepatitis B and cannot fight as they are infectious." Nonetheless, the Klitschko-Chagaev fight is being permitted to proceed in Germany.

In our commentary on this fight, we discuss why it is yet another disgrace for boxing. We detail how and why most of the boxing media are once again failing to expose this disgrace and are actually trying to benefit from this fight, including The Ring, which has announced that they will recognize the Klitschko-Chagaev winner as their "heavyweight champion of the world". And we stress the need to support the independent boxing media.

In our lengthy discussion with Dr. Joseph Estwanik, the issues of what is hepatitis B and why fighters who have it should not be allowed to fight are examined in depth. This is the type of candid and thorough discussion with a leading and veteran ringside physician which you will not be able to find in almost all the other media covering boxing, but it is our pleasure and privilege to be able to present it to you right here on No Holds Barred.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes at http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=150801513&s=143441.

The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by musician Ian Carpenter (http://iancarpenter.com/).

Make sure to visit the official boxing forum for No Holds Barred, the MySpace Boxing Forum, at http://groups.myspace.com/boxing.

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

Gladiator Magazine (http://gladmag.com/), for in-depth coverage of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission grappling, and MMA, as well as lifestyle articles on surfing, cars, movies, and more. Gladiator Magazine is available at any major bookstore and online at BJJMart.com (http://bjjmart.com) or Jiu Jitsu Pro Gear (http://jiujitsuprogear.com/).

American Top Team (http://americantopteam.com/). Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.

BJJMart.com (http://bjjmart.com), your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.

Wrestling 411 (http://wrestling411.tv), providing coverage of the sport of wrestling on TV, the Internet, and radio. Wrestling 411 is produced by Media Sports Productions (http://www.mediasportsproductions.com/), whose sole mission is the marketing and promotion of the sport of wrestling.

FightBeat.com (http://fightbeat.com/), for news, results, interviews, and free exclusive videos from the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts.

Thanks, Eddie Goldman
http://eddiegoldman.com

See you at the Fights.
Thanks for your time.

Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

EL Boxing Empress Keisha Morrisey's Myspace http://www.myspace.com/Keishadivine

Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com

©®™2007, 2008 All rights reserved

Team Ruiz officially files petition with WBA demanding purse bid for Valuev-Ruiz III

LAS VEGAS– Team Ruiz has filed an official petition with the World Boxing Association asking that heavyweight Ruslan Chagaev be stripped of his “Champion In Recess” status and demanding an immediate purse bid for Valuev-Ruiz III to be held by August 30 for the World Boxing Association heavyweight title.

Two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (43-8-1, 29 KOs) is the WBA mandated Official Challenger for WBA heavyweight champion Valuev.

Team Ruiz’ petition stated, “As you are aware Ruslan Chagaev has been medically disqualified from participation in the fight against Valuev. According to the express ruling of the WBA on this issue he must accordingly be stripped of any title and Valuev must be ordered to fight John Ruiz, the Official Challenger before August 30, 2009.

“For the record John Ruiz is ready, willing and able to fulfill his obligations as the Official Challenger within the time dictated by Championship regulations, and he demands that no decision regarding this issue be made unless he has an opportunity to be heard by the Championship Committee, unless it is to order a purse bid for the bout between he and Valuev no later than August 30, 2009.”

WBA ruling dated Feb. 2, 2009.

Relating to Chagaev’s obligation to fight Valuev: (par. C, p. 3)

"If Chagaev should incur another injury or other impediment that would prevent him from defending against the Champion, he will vacate whatever title he may hold and will be correspondingly lowered in his ranking."

“I’m ready to go,” Ruiz said. “I’ve been in the gym working hard because I knew something like this would happen. The WBA has to stand by its rules and order a purse bid for Valuev to fight me for the WBA heavyweight title and strip Chageav. This is the third time he hasn’t been able to fight for one reason or another. In baseball he’d be out. How many chances is the WBA going to give this guy? I wish they’d let the fighters in-line for a title shot know, so we’d all have a better idea about when somebody else will be fighting for that title.”

“According to the WBA’s specific rulings,” Ruiz attorney and advisor Anthony Cardinale explained, “it’s over for Chagaev as ‘Champion In Recess.’ Chagaev was medically unable to engage in this fight (vs. Valuev) and the WBA ruling stated he would lose his status if he was unable to fight - no excuses. The WBA mandatory rules revert back and Valuev has to make a mandatory defense by August 30, 2009. The WBA heavyweight title can’t be held hostage. It’s obvious that unsafe medical regulations in Germany regarding Chagaev’s medical condition do not apply anywhere else.”

See you at the Fights.
Thanks for your time.

Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

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Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com

©®™2007, 2008 All rights reserved

Don King: ‘The WBA Should Strip Ruslan Chagaev’

Don King:‘The WBA Should Strip Ruslan Chagaev’

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla.—Boxing promoter Don King believes the World Boxing Association must strip Ruslan Chagaev of any claim to its heavyweight championship after the Finnish Boxing Federation reviewed blood tests and refused to allow Chagaev to participate in Saturday’s match against WBA champion Nikolai “Giant Russian” Valuev in Helsinki.

Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports states his position in a post at: http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=AlxFNu4ZKgQu0_WIeRyKYT.UxLYF?slug=ki-wbatitle060109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

“Unfortunately for Ruslan Chagaev, he has suffered from a number of different medical maladies that have prevented him from participating in matches since at least 2003,” King said. “Nobody was more familiar with his medical history than the boxer and his promoter, but they still refused to submit to multiple requests for blood tests from the Finnish Boxing Federation until late in the week before Saturday’s match. This was a risk they should not have taken. It resulted in the cancellation of a contest for the WBA heavyweight championship.”

Rumors have swirled regarding Chagaev’s health since at least 2003 when blood tests forced Chagaev to be taken off a card in Australia headlined by Kostya Tszyu vs. Jesse James Leija.

Chagaev’s German-based promoter, Universum, claims their fighter recovered from Hepatitis B in 2006, but the Finnish Boxing Federation, under whose rules Saturday’s match were governed, refused to allow the contest to take place in their jurisdiction for undisclosed medical reasons.

Chagaev won the WBA heavyweight championship by handing then-champion Valuev his first loss in 46 fights on April 14, 2007. While Valuev hasn’t lost since—and in February 2008 won a title eliminator for the right to face Chagaev in a rematch—the Uzbeki has yet to receive medical clearance to be licensed.

The rematch was to have first taken place on May 31, 2008, but Chagaev pulled out with what was described as a protracted virus infection. (In addition, Chagaev was unable to appear in a previously scheduled heavyweight unification match in September 2007 against then-World Boxing Organization titleholder Sultan Ibragimov due to undisclosed medical reasons only described by Universum as “an acute inflammation of the body.”)

Chagaev vs. Valuev II was re-scheduled for July 5, 2008, but Chagaev suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon 10 days prior to the fight on June 26. After discussions, the WBA announced revised rules whereby a titleholder can be considered “champion in recess” due to medical reasons for up to a year after sustaining a recognized injury. Hence, Valuev vs. Chagaev II was scheduled for the third time to take place last Saturday (May 30) in Helsinki.

“I wanted the WBA to strip Chagaev after the Achilles injury,” King said. “The WBA said ‘let’s make him champion in recess’ and I saw that they were simply trying to do everything they could to help this man. It wasn’t my first choice, but I understood it.”

“Now it is my job as co-promoter of Nikolai Valuev with my partners at Sauerland Event to point out that the WBA ruled Chagaev had until June 26 to face Valuev, and he did not accomplish this. The Finnish Boxing Federation rejected Chagaev for medical reasons, and the rules of the WBA clearly state that they recognize and respect the rules of the local governing authority wherever a match may take place—in this instance, Finland.”

King added, “I applaud the Finnish Commission for standing up for the health and welfare of the fighters. It goes beyond money; they chose health before wealth. I believe the WBA will do the right thing as well by announcing Nikolai Valuev as its undisputed heavyweight champion.”

“I don’t believe the WBA will ignore the objective, empirical proof presented by the Finnish Boxing Federation.”

See you at the Fights.
Thanks for your time.

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©®™2007, 2008 All rights reserved

Third time the charm in Germany for Ruiz

LAS VEGAS– Two-time World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (43-7-1, 29 KOs) broke Las Vegas training camp today and he departed for Germany in quest of his third world title. Ruiz is traveling with his advisor and attorney, Tony Cardinale, and head trainer, Manny Siaca, Sr.

The WBA vacated the title due to an injury to Ruslan Chagaev, declaring him “champion in recess,” and ruled that the top two rated contenders fight for the title. Ruiz, rated No. 2 by the WBA, takes on the No. 1 contender, 7-0, 320-pound Nikolai Valuev (48-1, 34 KOs), who won a controversial 12-round split decision 2 ½ years ago against defending champion Ruiz, on August 30 in Berlin for the WBA crown.

Ruiz also lost a majority decision to Chagaev in Germany. “I believe the third time will be the charm – my first win fighting for the third time in Germany – and I’ll bring home my third world championship belt,” Ruiz said before he left. “I heard that Valuev has been swimming to train for our fight. Good. He’s going to need that because I’m taking him into deep water before knocking the giant out. Timber! The deeper the fight, the deeper the water’s going to be for him. I know what I can do to him. I beat him the first time but they gave him the decision.

“Everything about training camp was good. I worked very hard to get ready for this fight. I’ve been working on a lot of stuff with Manny like more balanced punching and a few new moves. When we get into the ring I want him to be thinking about what he’s going to do with me. He’s not going to fight the same guy he did the first time. You can’t let him stand there or he’ll throw punches all night long. I’m going to take the fight to him and make him move around. I’m going to stay on him, surround him, and show him different angles and more combination punching.”

The Puerto Rican-American Ruiz is the first and only Latino heavyweight champion of the world. He has fought in 10 world championship fights and defeated three world heavyweight champions -- Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker – in addition to beating top contenders such as Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo, Kirk Johnson and Jameel McCline during his 15-year pro career.

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©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Ruiz getting another WBA title shot‏

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina– The World Boxing Association ruled today at its Directory Meeting that WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev will be considered “champion in recess” due to an injury and that he has until June 26, 2009 to fight for the title.

Negotiations have started between representatives of the WBA’s top two rated heavyweights, ex-WBA champion Nikolai Valuev and former two-time WBA title-holder John “The Quietman” Ruiz (43-7-1, 29 KOs), respectively, to fight for the WBA “regular” heavyweight championship belt. The Valuev-Ruiz will be obliged to fight Chagaev by June 26, 2009.

“We’re happy to get an opportunity to fight for the WBA title again,” Ruiz said from Argentina.

The Puerto Rican-American Ruiz, living in Las Vegas, is the first and only Latino heavyweight champion of the world. He has fought in 10 world championship fights, defeating three world heavyweight champions -- Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker – in addition to beating top contenders such as Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo, Kirk Johnson and Jameel McCline during his 15-year pro career.

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Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com

©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Ruiz on call and ready to rock

Ruiz on call and ready to rock

LAS VEGAS– Former two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz has announced that he’s prepared to replace WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev to fight another former WBA title-holder, Nikolay Valuev, for the WBA belt.

Chagaev pulled out of his scheduled mandatory defense against Valuev in May, reportedly due to a cold that forced him to break training, but Ruslan hasn’t made his initial mandatory defense since capturing the WBA belt on April 14, 2007 via a 12-round majority decision versus Valuev. His only title defense was a voluntary fight this past January in a 12-round decision against Matt Skelton. WBA champions are required to make a mandatory defense within a year of winning the belt and/or last mandatory defense. Chagaev is officially over the deadline and seeking further delays.

“We have to respect mandatory defenses and if Chagaev isn’t willing or able to fulfill his obligation as champion,” WBA No. 2 rated Ruiz said, “he should step aside so the WBA can move forward instead of standing still. There’s so much speculation about Chagaev. First there was Hepatitis B and now another viral infection – it must have moved from his intestines to his throat – and nobody really knows when or if he’ll be able to fight again. We will be filing a letter of petition with the WBA to strip Chagaev and order a fight between me and Valuev for the WBA title.”

Ruiz is also rated No. 3 by the WBC, No. 6 by the IBF, No. 10 by The Ring magazine, and No. 12 by the WBO.

“The heavyweight division drives boxing,” Ruiz added. “Fans are waiting for things to explode, but it seems like the heavyweight champions are holding the title belts hostage. They’re all tied up and don’t want to fight the best heavyweights. No wonder fans criticize heavyweights. I’m ready to clean-up the division and willing to fight any of the world champs or top contenders. How long do I have to wait for my title shot?”

Ruiz is the first and only Latino heavyweight champion of the world. He has fought in 10 world championship fights and defeated three world heavyweight champions -- Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker – as well as top contenders such as Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo, Kirk Johnson and Jameel McCline during his 15-year pro career.

Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

EL Boxing Empress Keisha Morrisey's Myspace http://www.myspace.com/Keishadivine

Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com/

©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved