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Valuev to face Barrett in October

Valuev won the title by beating John Ruiz last December.

HANOVER, Germany -- WBA titleholder Nikolai Valuev, the biggest heavyweight champion of all time, will fight in the United States on October 7, defending his title against Monte Barrett.

Las Vegas, Chicago and Atlantic City are the leading candidates to host the bout, said Chris Meyer, business manager for Sauerland Promotions. It will be broadcast by HBO and Germany's ARD.

"The television contracts in the United States have been signed," Meyer said on Monday.

Valuev, 2.13 meters tall (7-foot), and weighing 150 kilograms (323 pounds), has been fighting in Germany.

The Russian (44-0 with a no-decision, 32 KOs) won the title in December against John Ruiz.

Barrett (31-4, 17 KOs) is an American in a division ruled by boxers out of Eastern Europe. He has not fought since losing to Rahman a year ago.

Maskaev offer

Oleg Maskaev, who beat Hasim Rahman on Saturday for the WBC title, has been offered a unification showdown with IBF champion Wladimir Klitschko.

Maskaev stopped Hasim Rahman in the final minute of the 12th round on Saturday, to dethrone the American.

Shelly Finkel, Klitschko's manager, has spoken with Maskaev's camp about a November 11 fight at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Klitschko had been considering a defense against US veteran Shannon Briggs but now wants Maskaev.

"I've offered him a deal and now it's up to him," Finkel said. "But I have to have an answer quickly. We need to move forward.

"He and his people have to understand that they're not going to get a better deal to fight anyone else."

Maskaev, 33-5 with 26 stoppages, could decide to wait. He had said he hurt his back in training and injured his right thumb in the fight.

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