Nikolay Valuev vs Monte Barrett

A difference of 106 pounds separated the contestants when Nikolay Valuev defended the WBA heavyweight championship against Monte Barrett at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, on October 7, 2006. Valuev weighed 328 pounds against Barrett’s 222 and stood close to seven feet, giving the American an uncommon problem in height, reach and bulk. Barrett remained competitive for ten rounds, but the champion’s accumulating strength brought the end at 2 minutes 12 seconds of the eleventh, when trainer James Ali Basheer entered the ring to prevent further punishment.

Valuev was making the second defence of the title he had taken from John Ruiz by majority decision in Berlin ten months earlier. His first defence, against Owen Beck, had ended inside three rounds. Barrett, 31-4, had earned his position through victories over Dominick Guinn and Beck before losing a 12-round decision to Hasim Rahman for the interim WBC championship. He had been inactive for nearly 14 months, but arrived in lean condition and intended to offset Valuev’s size with movement and quicker combinations.

Barrett moved briskly at the start, changing direction and trying to enter beneath Valuev’s long arms. The challenger was considerably faster of hand and foot, but every advance required him to travel through the champion’s reach. Valuev used a patient left jab, pushed Barrett backwards when they came together and gradually found the range for his right hand. Barrett struck in bursts and attempted to leave before the reply, occasionally reaching the body and head, but he could not remain at close quarters without being tied up or forced away by Valuev’s weight.

The middle rounds followed the same demanding course. Barrett continued to move and had sufficient success to prevent the contest from becoming a simple exercise, yet his work required much greater effort. Valuev seldom hurried. He advanced behind the jab, leaned upon the smaller man in the clinches and made increasing use of the straight right and short hooks. Barrett’s resistance and willingness drew encouragement, but the heavier blows belonged to the champion, whose accuracy improved as the challenger’s movement slowed.

In the eighth round, Valuev produced the first official knockdown. A right hand caught Barrett as he attempted to move away and sent him to the floor. The American rose at eight and completed the round, but the advantage in strength had become decisive. Barrett continued to punch back during the ninth and tenth and still found occasional openings against Valuev’s upright defence. By then, however, he was being made to absorb punches which had travelled only a short distance but carried the force of the champion’s enormous frame.

Valuev led comfortably entering the eleventh. Early in the round, a right hook sent Barrett to the canvas, although referee John O’Brien did not rule it a knockdown. When the action resumed, Valuev immediately reached him with a long left hook, and this time Barrett fell heavily enough to receive a count. He rose at five and attempted to continue. Valuev pressed forward, throwing both hands as Barrett backed towards the ropes with little left beyond courage. Basheer climbed through the ropes and signalled that the contest should be stopped. O’Brien ended proceedings with 48 seconds remaining in the round.

At the stoppage, judges Hubert Earle and Medardo Villalobos had Valuev ahead by 98-91 and 98-92 respectively, while Ted Gimza scored it 96-93. The punch figures also favoured the champion. Valuev landed 212 of 459 blows, compared with Barrett’s 150 of 440, and connected with 126 power punches against 88 for the challenger. Barrett had made a more respectable contest of it than the difference in size suggested, but he could not overcome Valuev’s reach or the steady physical cost of closing the distance.

The victory advanced Valuev’s record to 45 wins without defeat, with one no-contest, and represented his first championship defence in the United States. It was not a polished performance throughout, for Barrett’s mobility exposed the champion’s limited speed and deliberate footwork. Once the American tired, however, Valuev used his dimensions with greater effect and finished with authority. Basheer’s intervention was properly timed; Barrett had survived the first knockdown and risen from the second, but his defence had deteriorated, and further resistance could no longer have altered the result.

I remember working at York Hall when Valuev had his fifth pro fight against Neil Kirkwood. People gasped when they first clapped eyes on him; nobody had seen a heavyweight built like that.

Valuev took the WBA belt from John Ruiz, then stopped Owen Beck, but I never regarded him as a great fighter. He was ponderous, upright and technically basic. What he did understand was how to impose that enormous frame over twelve rounds.

Monte Barrett had earned his opportunity the hard way, beating Dominick Guinn and Beck before losing a competitive fight to Hasim Rahman. He began sensibly here, moving, changing direction and throwing quick combinations before Valuev could set himself. But fighting a man that size drains you. Barrett worked hard for every opening, while Valuev could lean, jab and make him carry weight without appearing especially busy.

By the middle rounds, Barrett’s legs were slowing, and his exits became predictable. Valuev’s long jab started finding him, and the right hand followed once Barrett was trapped near the ropes. The knockdown in the eighth confirmed where the fight was heading. Barrett showed tremendous courage, but courage was no longer enough once his movement deserted him.

The stoppage in the eleventh was correct. Barrett’s corner saved him from unnecessary punishment. Valuev deserved the win, though it proved durability and physical authority more than heavyweight greatness. Barrett made him work, but never found a method he could sustain.