BELOW THE BELT
Farce as 7ft boxing champ Valuev can’t find Russian army uniform that fits for Ukraine war as he needs size 16.5 boots
VLADIMIR Putin's shoestring army is struggling to find a uniform big enough after calling up ex-boxer Nikolai Valuev to fight in Ukraine.
The retired giant, 49 - the tallest and heaviest world champion in boxing history - stands at 7ft and wears size 16.5 boots.
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Now army quartermasters have the task of trying to find some kit for the man mountain - now a pro-Putin MP.
A Russian TV report on his call-up said: "They'll have to try hard to find a uniform which fits MP Nikolai Valuev, who's also received his call-up papers.
"The former boxing world champion is 2m 13cm (7ft) tall. His feet are size 52 (UK size 16.5)."
Jokers online suggested the army should also order an oversized bodybag if he is sent to the "meat grinder" conflict.
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One said: "He's a big target!"
At his peak, he weighed 149kg, or almost 23 and a half stone.
In 2010, Valuev's doctor said he was treating him for "serious bone and joint problems"
He was forced to undergo two operations that required six months on the sidelines and confirmed in 2013 that medical advice was the main reason he wouldn't return to the ring.
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But that hasn't stopped Putin's army from calling him up for the disastrous war in Ukraine.
In an interview with Russian state media last week, he said he had been handed his summons when he was in the Donbas in eastern Ukraine.
Unlike his other parliamentary colleagues, he has been told to go to the military registration and enlistment office.
"In my opinion, everyone has received a summons, I also received a summons," he told Russian language publication . "Will I go? Of course, I will go to the enlistment office now."
Speaking of his fellow MPs, he said: "My colleagues are good, they were registered for military service in the State Duma and received summons here, but I have to go home.
"I received the summons right before my trip to Donbas, and I was not at home."
He added: "Next week I will definitely go and report to the enlistment office."
Valuev competed in the heavyweight category during his 16-year career between 1993 and 2009.
He was World Boxing Association champion between 2005 and 2007, and again in 2009 before his points defeat to 6ft 3in Brit David Haye in the so-called "David Vs Goliath" fight.
Will I go? Of course, I will go to the enlistment office now
Nikolai Valuev
After retiring, he went into politics and joined the Russian Duma parliament in 2011 as a member of the Putin-backing United Russia party.
Such was his gargantuan size, a special chair had to be made for him to sit in.
He has also dedicated the past decade to trying to prove the existence of the Russian "Bigfoot", the reports.
Such was his obsession, that he even appeared on the 2013 Channel 4 series "Bigfoot Files" trekking through the Siberian wilderness.
In 2011, he went on a separate mission to try and track down Bigfoot, as reported by an official Russian government press release.
"Valuev did not manage to meet the yeti itself but on the way, he discovered 'traces' such as broken tree branches," it read.
"By the time they reached the cave, the expedition saw gigantic footprints, similar to a human's."
It comes after ex-Everton and Russian footballer Diniyar Bilyaletdinov was called up to fight in Ukraine.
The 37-year-old midfielder, who made 59 appearances for the Toffees between 2009 and 2012, last served in the military almost two decades ago.
His dad Rinat confirmed that he had been called up, despite being two years over the official cut-off age for new recruits of 35.
"Diniyar really received a summons," he told Russian publication .
"It is difficult to talk about emotions, because he did not serve, although he did military service, but it was specific, with a sports bias. It was 19 years ago.
"That is, yes, he took the oath, but served in the sports line.
"The law still says - to call people up to 35 years old, and he is 37, so there is some kind of inconsistency here.
"Now he will find out whether this agenda is correct or whether it was sent early. Anything can happen."
The news follows revelations that staff from Russia's national football team have refused to turn home from a friendly match in neighbouring Kyrgyzstan.
Hundreds of thousands of young men have tried to flee from Putin's mobilisation of 300,000 reservists.
Anyone who has done compulsory military service could be drafted.
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On Friday, tyrant Vlad officially declare four Ukrainian regions as part of Russia.
It means conscripts can now legally be sent to the war as well as contracted soldiers.
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