Valuev to Klitschko: 'Brother, see you in the ring!'

Undefeated WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev reaffirmed his interest in a unification showdown with Wladimir Klitschko after the Ukrainian's second-round stoppage of Ray Austin. Speaking from his hotel in Berlin, where he is shaping up for his mandatory defense against Ruslan Chagaev (April 14), the Russian Giant said he has been waiting for a clash with Klitschko for a long time.

"I have been asked this question a hundred times and my answer is always the same," he vowed. "Of course it depends on my management but I am ready to get in the same ring with Wladimir at any time." Much like everyone else, Valuev was disappointed by Ray Austin´s performance which ended in a second-round defeat. "Even though I had considered Klitschko the clear favourite ahead of the bout, I was disappointed with Austin´s showing," he stated.

"He disregarded Klitschko´s strengths from the first bell on. He thought that Klitschko could only punch with his right hand. That´s why the quick loss is no surprise." Valuev will now switch his attention back to Chagaev but has a message for Klitschko. "Brother, see you in the ring."