Nikolai Valuev was rushed to hospital in Moscow after complaining about a leg injury after being drafted to fight in the Ukraine war.
Seven-feet-tall Valuev remains the tallest and heaviest heavyweight champion in boxing history having weighed in at 300lb during his career. Valuev reigned as the WBA champion and defended the belt three times while going on a 46-fight undefeated streak. He is also known on domestic shores for his high-profile defeat to British star David Haye in 2009, which was marketed as "David vs Goliath".
The retired boxing star became the latest from the sport to be conscripted to fight in a different sphere and join Russian forces in the Ukraine war, after being ordered by president Vladimir Putin. But Russian lifestyle magazine Life has reported Valuev was rushed to hospital after complaining of pain in his leg. He reportedly spent the night in hospital, but a source has since issued a swift denial to downplay any serious harm.
