By Mark Vester

Berlin, Germany - At Max-Schmeling Halle, a heavyweight rematch saw seven-foot Nikolai Valuev (49-1, 34 KOs) pull out a unanimous decision over John Ruiz (43-8-1, 29 KOs) to capture the vacant WBA heavyweight title, making Valuev a two-time heavyweight champion. The scores were 114-113, 116-113 and 116-111 for Valuev. The scores were at first announced as a split-decision, but later changed to a unanimous decision. Announcer Michael Buffer read the 114-113 card for Ruiz, but it was for Valuev.

Ruiz came out in the first round trying to set a quick pace to try and do what he promised to do - tire Valuev out. It was more of a jabbing contest than anything else, with Valuev's bigger and harder jab doing more damage. The fight became more physical in the second with Ruiz coming forward and trying to land something big.

In the early rounds, Valuev's jab was the most effective punch of the fight. Ruiz tried to pounce on him during the sixth, causing the crowd to rise as the two of them traded big punches. Valuev began to press forward in the seventh, with Ruiz trying to meet him halfway to trade when he tried the same tactic in the eight.

The giant began to look weary in the ninth, with Ruiz throwing power-punch combos to the head and body to take advantage of the situation. The next two rounds were close with neither man looking too impressive. The final round saw them once again trade punches during the final minute of the fight, bringing some life out the rather quiet crowd.

After the decision was announced, there was a mix of cheers and boos from the crowd. Ruiz did not agree with the decision and told the live crowd that he was once again robbed by biased judges. In their first meeting in December 2005, Valuev won a controversial majority decision over Ruiz, capturing the WBA heavyweight title for the first time. Most experts felt Ruiz won the fight.

Valuev will now likely move forward to a rematch with Ruslan Chagaev, who was downgraded by the WBA to a champion in recess due to his numerous injuries.

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