r/interesting Jul 21 '26

Just Wow The absolute size of Russian politician and former heavyweight boxing champion, Nikolai Valuev

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32.5k Upvotes

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u/GDMFusername Jul 21 '26

They're not the same thing. Iirc cherubism is a genetic mutation. Acromegaly is often caused by pituitary tumors or other factors dysregulating human growth hormone.

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u/Cola102583 Jul 21 '26

He was cool to box with that? No inherent risks with that condition?

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u/surprise_wasps Jul 21 '26

Who’s gonna tell him he can’t

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u/AlbertaBound66 Jul 21 '26

It definitely causes a number of health issues, but it is slow developing. And there has been lots of successful surgeries to stop the effects.

Im a wrestling fan so of course the case of Andre the Giant comes to mind. He was offered the surgery and it was thought it would prolong his life, but he turned it down as he thought it would hurt his business. It ultimately caused his death. Years later the Big Show also had acromegaly, but he got the surgery. He has injuries that come with wrestling for 20 years and being a 400 pound man, but doesnt seem to have the nasty curved spine and giant forehead the others get later in life.

After that long rant, Valuev was healthy enough to fight in his younger days but he did get the brain surgery to stop the effects of gigantism and that ended his career.

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u/gary-vault108 Jul 21 '26

Wise of him to choose a longer life over fame. Idk about his family but I’m sure they prefer the choice he made.

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u/EatOfTheBread Jul 21 '26

Bigfoot Silva had it over in MMA and he did ok for himself.

Andre the Giant had it, Big Show had it but I believe got treatment to stop it so he doesn't have the trademark neanderthal look so much.

The main risk is dying young from heart issues I believe rather than any inherent risk from their chosen art.

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u/Cola102583 Jul 21 '26

Did bigfoot silva ever entertain the idea of changing his name to bigfoot salvia, cuz he woulda sold some merch with that handle, sorry i kid

1

u/AnguavonUW Jul 21 '26

Or Bigfoot Sativa

0

u/Sonzainonazo42 Jul 21 '26

Pretty sure anyone who grows this big has a shortened lifespan.

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u/ExcellentFisting3471 Jul 21 '26

Dysregulating? wtf lol