Valuev to return in April

WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev will defend his title for the first time in Germany. "We plan his first defense for April", says Sauerland managing director Chris Meyer.

"At the moment, we can name no exact date, but the talks with our TV partners ARD and HBO are running. Promoter Don King wants Valuev to fight in the USA as King Kong, but we (Sauerland-Event) are the promoter of Nikolai - not Don King. I believe it is a public relations ploy of Don King.

" Valuev (324.1 lb., 44-0, 31 KOs) also does not see himself fighting in the USA. "Germany is my second homeland, but the most important country for my career," says the seven-foot champion. "I want to fight in Germany. If it goes later to America, why not? I would climb the Empire State Building like King Kong, but only up to the panorama floor,” reports Fightnews. I.L.