Russia's heavyweight WBA champion Nikolai Valuyev may run in forthcoming elections to the State Duma, the Novgorod Vedomosti newspaper said on Wednesday.
"This is an idea , but I do not widely advertise these plans. I would not want to get too ahead of myself," Valuyev said.
Valuyev, 37, has joined the United Russia party last year and received his party membership card from the head of the United Russia branch in his hometown of St. Petersburg, Russia's second largest city.
United Russia, Russia's ruling party led by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, is known for attracting celebrities to its ranks.
The party counts many sport figures among its members, including popular gymnasts Alina Kabayeva and Svetlana Khorkina, as well as footballers Andrei Arshavin and Roman Pavlyuchenko. Former secret agent Anna Chapman is a leading figure in its youth wing.
VELIKY NOVGOROD, March 30 (RIA Novosti)
