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The bigger they are . .

Photos by DAVID MARTIN WARR

They meet this weekend in Stuttgart, Germany for the World Boxing Association Heavyweight championship. Titleholder Nicali Valuev, the Russian Giant, undefeated in 46 fights. Ruslan Chagaev of Russia, undefeated in 22 fights. Even Don King in the centre looks smallish. Valuev is seven feet one inch tall, the Russky twelve inches shorter.

"The bigger they are, the harder they fall," said Aussie Bob Fitzsimmons in the late 19th century. They fall harder . . only if you can make them fall at all.

It will take the boxing shock of the 21st century (so far), for Ruslan to chop the tallest timber.