MMA Quick Quote: Andrei Arlovski the boxer coming soon in 2009

by James Iannotti on Jan 1, 2009 10:40 AM EST

"If Andrei wins against Fedor on the 24th, I would put in right into a title fight with Nikolai Valuev right away. It would be Belarus vs. Russia and that's huge marketing for PPV and Andrei has a huge crowd in that area. He will cross over into boxing though; that is a definite! His next fight after Fedor will be a boxing match."

-- World renowned boxing trainer Freddie Roach, who has been working with Arlovski over the past year or so to help him improve his striking, revealed to FightHype.com that his trainee will soon sign with Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions sometime in the near future and compete in a high profile boxing match. Arlovski will take a crack at the sweet science win or lose in his WAMMA world title fight against champion Fedor Emelianenko on January 24 at Affliction: "Day of Reckoning." Roach even hints that Arlovski's opponent in this boxing match could be current WBA heavyweight title holder Nikolai Valuev, which would certainly be a bout worth watching. The Pitbull has always been considered one of the top strikers in mixed martial arts, but it's anybody's guess as to how that talent would transfer over to a world championship boxing match against a monster like Valuev. Time will tell.

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get it andrei! do us proud.

by COR on Jan 1, 2009 11:51 AM EST reply actions

Valuev, is overrated. His decision win over Holyfield is being investigated, I doubt they’ll overturn the decision but the fact he couldn’t finish him shows how poor he and the heavyweight division is right now.

Is the Mosley fight (24th Jan) still going ahead, I heard there was a chance it could have been cancelled?

by MoonUK on Jan 1, 2009 12:04 PM EST up reply actions

Vladamir and Vitaly are not weak…they are damn good..Heavyweight boxing gets no hype in America because it`s being dominated by white guys who are not American

by texen_1 on Jan 1, 2009 12:26 PM EST up reply actions

The only reason it doesn’t get hype in America, is b/c almost no one here cares (or has cared, in years) about boxing anymore.

by chefdaddy on Jan 1, 2009 12:41 PM EST up reply actions

The Klitchko brothers are the only boxers I watch ,they are truelly great boxers.They are the only ones that are worth watching

by Scott on Jan 1, 2009 12:46 PM EST up reply actions

David Haye will dominate both brothers in 2009.

by MoonUK on Jan 1, 2009 12:47 PM EST up reply actions

Of course we would all watch Arlovski,I hope he does us proud,I was watching a special on CNBC,where Tim Landry was just ripping MMA,saying nobody in MMA has nearly the skill of any boxers,and he was talking about all around skills.So I hope Arlovski does this and shuts all the skeptics up

by Scott on Jan 1, 2009 12:49 PM EST up reply actions

Moon I like the way you think. I hope the Haye"maker" clobbers the brothers and becomes the new “holyfield”

by Bill Maher on Jan 1, 2009 5:00 PM EST up reply actions

Some how I doubt it,but the only thing that ever worries me about Wladimer,is when he panics,but he has not had that problem in about 3 years ,so I just do not see that happening.I see Wladimer and Vitali holding their belts as long as they want

by Scott on Jan 1, 2009 5:12 PM EST up reply actions

I doubt he’d get knocked out by such larger gloves.

by Griffinfan05 on Jan 1, 2009 11:59 AM EST reply actions

His ability to take a punch will limit how far he goes in boxing. You may be able to improve on somebodys boxing skills but you cannot improve their ability to take a punch. I hope he does well.

by Ade on Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM EST reply actions

The comment about the larger gloves wasn’t there when I wrote my comment, that could well be a factor.

by Ade on Jan 1, 2009 12:06 PM EST up reply actions

thats where the moneys at but i don’t see him being successful in boxing at all.

by jonsey on Jan 1, 2009 12:01 PM EST reply actions

not really…most boxers make much less than Andrei does in MMA

by texen_1 on Jan 1, 2009 12:27 PM EST up reply actions

Except he is signing with Golden Boy, he will make massive money.

by enzo-enormous on Jan 1, 2009 3:58 PM EST up reply actions

K1 would probably be better for him.. but i love boxing so good move Andrei!

by RoB on Jan 1, 2009 12:17 PM EST reply actions

So apparently, Andrei is “huge” in Belarus, nobody told me that. LOL

by Dom on Jan 1, 2009 12:25 PM EST reply actions

I believe that Andre knows he cant be the best in MMA so he will go somewere else for an easy and larger paycheque. He showed his lack of heart in the UFC and he knows he just doesnt have what it takes to be the best. Not to say he doesnt have huge skill, he just doesnt have the heart.

by Spyder on Jan 1, 2009 12:26 PM EST reply actions

Who can blame anyone for following the money… I (and most) would. Wouldn’t you?? One punch could end their career. You gotta earn it while you are able.

by DJ on Jan 1, 2009 12:39 PM EST up reply actions

I agree with that.

by Spyder on Jan 1, 2009 2:53 PM EST up reply actions

you have no idea what Andrei knows, and he never showed any lack of heart. He has been considered one of the best for years, and he can dominate in boxing aswell.

by theCloser on Jan 2, 2009 3:06 AM EST up reply actions

He also, to this day, uses zero head movement in his fights! Which causes him to frequently get dropped by guys like Roy Nelson.

But HW boxing is so bad right now that I bet he could have limited success.

by Dom on Jan 1, 2009 12:33 PM EST reply actions

WAR ANDREI!

by Jared on Jan 1, 2009 12:42 PM EST reply actions

HW boxing is awful right now.

Valuev is about as beatable as a champ gets. Everybody is gunning for that freakshow after Holyfield exposed him. Either of the Klitschko bros would wreck Andrei though, probably even Chagaev. Sounds like Andrei and his camp is going after the easy money in Vaulev.

by Rick on Jan 1, 2009 12:49 PM EST reply actions

I’m not sure I like this situation for the sport of MMA. If Arlovski wins he beats a boxer who people don’t think that is good after almost losing to an ancient Holyfield. If Arlovski loses, well then what does that say about the athletes in MMA? It’s a lose lose situation to me.

With that said, I think if any MMA fighter has a chance at succeeding in boxing though Arlovski has to be towards the top of that list. He has excellent striking, is extremely quick and agile for his size and will be going into a weak weight class.

I think, and hope, this move is more of fulfilling a passion or goal for Arlovski than testing the waters of boxing as a permanent home.

by Zikron on Jan 1, 2009 1:55 PM EST reply actions

Good luck to him. This might get me to watch boxing again.

by Jeff on Jan 1, 2009 2:47 PM EST reply actions

Good Luck to Arlovski, But I dont see him take Fedor. But on the other hand, WHO KNOWS ? Anything can happen.

by Il Nino on Jan 1, 2009 2:50 PM EST reply actions

He is scared of Fedor, Andre wants nothing to do with him, he is just looking to get paid. He proved in the UFC he does not like fighting guys that he cant beat.

by Spyder on Jan 1, 2009 2:55 PM EST reply actions

we’ll see on the 24th when then fat pudgy Russian is seeing the ceiling lights…if he is still awake.this tread is about Andrei and the transition to boxing and not for opportunities to hug Fedors sac.

by jdawg on Jan 1, 2009 4:10 PM EST up reply actions

uhmmm he hasn’t lost to anyone not named tim sylvia since 2002.. and he fought him THREE times in the UFC. how is that dodging guys that can beat him?

by ActionJackson on Jan 1, 2009 5:41 PM EST up reply actions

He had to, he was the champ. Then was rewarded a rematch….he had to and he showed us what he was made of.

by Spyder on Jan 1, 2009 6:19 PM EST up reply actions

he beat tim the first time and that means he CAN beat him. you act like other champs pick their fights. andrei fought whoever the UFC put in front of him, just like everybody else does and he was dominant for a very long time. your argument doesn’t make any sense.

by ActionJackson on Jan 1, 2009 6:43 PM EST up reply actions

I cant believe people shell out 80 bux to watch boxing. They should pay us. Dont waste your time Andre.

by Elstiko on Jan 1, 2009 3:35 PM EST reply actions

WORD!!!!!!

by the spyder on Jan 1, 2009 7:54 PM EST up reply actions

If he is rushed to valuev fight it will be damn well paid. No complaints there

I think arlovski is 2nd best heavy in mma, well see on 24 if he bumps up, I think arlovski is only man that can defeat fedor, if he doesn’t fedor trully is the best.

Anyways I support arlovski 100 percent
He’s still very young too lots of time to learn

by phenomenal angel on Jan 1, 2009 4:37 PM EST reply actions

he really isn’t young at all by boxing standards.

by Bill Maher on Jan 1, 2009 5:02 PM EST up reply actions

Valuev is a fucking joke – proves nothing by beating that gigantic bum.

by rbk on Jan 1, 2009 5:03 PM EST reply actions

It proves that MMA fighters are better fighters than boxers,for a MMA fighter to go in to boxing and take the belt that would be a huge step for MMA

by Scott on Jan 1, 2009 5:16 PM EST up reply actions

Valuev isn’t a boxer and that’s not a legitimate belt.

by rbk on Jan 2, 2009 12:03 AM EST up reply actions

Its a good thing he left the UFC because now AA can do what ever he wants and not have to listen to the little dicktator Dana.

by Bigmcmac on Jan 1, 2009 7:27 PM EST reply actions

Please….there’s more glass in his jaw than a car

by Andrew on Feb 6, 2009 1:34 AM EST reply actions

Boxers Punch MUCH harder than MMA fighters and can land their punches much easier and have better chins. He’s going to get KTFO with the first punch he gets hit with clean against a legit guy of course. Guys like the Klitschko’s could break bones easily with those small 4 ounce gloves. If he gets hit by Valuev he’s going down for sure. I’ve seen guys break jaw bones, cheek bones, ribs etc with 10 ounce gloves. He’ll win a few fights against some bums but once he steps up he’s getting KO’d.

by D on Feb 7, 2009 11:25 PM EST reply actions