There’s been a lot of talk about the forcible conscription Russia is forcing upon its men. Earlier this month mixed martial artist Vladimir Mineev escaped the country to avoid partaking in the Ukraine war.
Mineev is not the only professional athlete to get drafted. He’s joined by the tallest and heaviest world champion in boxing history.
Valuev won the WBA heavyweight championship for the first time in 2005. He successfully defended it three times until Ruslan Chagaev stopped his 46 bouts long win streak. Valuev later became a two-time champion and successfully defended his title against the legendary boxer Evander Holyfield.
Valuev lost his championship title against David Haye in the so-called “David vs. Goliath” match. He afterwards announced his retirement from boxing due to bone and joint issues.
Valuev changed his field of employment after retiring to politics. He is now a member of the United Russia party and of the Russian parliament. Valuev said in a recent interview with Russian official media that he received his summons while in Donbas.
Valuev told Izvestia,
“In my opinion, everyone has received a summons, I also received a summons. “Will I go? Of course, I will go to the enlistment office now. My colleagues are good, they were registered for military service in the State Duma and received summons here, but I have to go home.”
“I received the summons right before my trip to Donbas, and I was not at home. Next week I will definitely go and report to the enlistment office.”
It’s unsure if Valuev is an attempt to skewer public relations and manipulate men into agreeing to partake in the war .
Valuev has spent more than a decade seeking to establish the existence of the legendary monster Bigfoot after retiring from boxing. He will now have to put his hobby of hunting the “Russian Yeti” on hold due to his enlistment in the war.