British Expats - Nikolay Valuev vs Monte Barrett.

Nikolay Valuev vs Monte Barrett.

Saturday, October 7, 2006.

At Rosemont, Ill., Russia’s Nikolay Valuev takes on American Monte Barrett for Valuev's WBA heavyweight title. Valuev, called the “Russian Giant” because he stands 7-feet tall and weighs 320 pounds, is the tallest heavyweight champion in history. Valuev (44-0, 32 KOs) won the title from John Ruiz in December 2005 with a unanimous decision. He has since made one defense, beating Owen Beck by TKO. "I have fought 44 times and have always gone back to my motherland in St. Petersburg a winner,” said Valuev, who is a sportsbook favorite for this bout. Barrett (31-4, 17 KOs) has yet to have a career-defining victory. He will give up 9 inches in height to Valuev and will be a huge underdog play for boxing bettors. “I am hungry and focused. I'm 225 pounds right now, and my heart is 224 of it," Barrett said.