Chagaev Finally Returns, Feb. 7

WBA heavyweight champion "in recess" Ruslan Chagaev will fight little known Costa Rican and # 9 rated Carl Davis Drumond on February 7, at the Stadthalle in Rostock, Germany. Due to various injuries, Chagaev has not fought since outpointing Matt Skelton back in January.

The 30-year-old Chagaev (24-0-1, 17 KOs) is a southpaw, originally from Andizhan, Uzbekistan, now fighting out of Hamburg, Germany. Should Chagaev defeat Drumond, the WBA has mandated a rematch with interim WBA belt holder, Nikolay Valuev, to take place no later than June 26, 2009.

Drumond, 33, comes from Limon, Costa Rica. He fought three times in 2008 – most recently scoring a first round knockout over Alejandro Agustin Alvarez on June 30 in San Jose, CR.