Team Sauerland has dismissed John Ruiz´ protest against the outcome of his WBA heavyweight title fight versus Nikolai Valuev, branding his accusations as “ridiculous and an affront to the WBA”. It is not the first time the former heavyweight champion and his team act as sore losers. Back in December 2005, his then-coach stole the belt from Valuev after the official verdict was announced. Instead of taking the law in their own hand again, Team Ruiz decided to protest the outcome of last month´s fight, which Valuev clearly won on points (116-111, 116-113 and 114-113). Valuev should be stripped of his belt and a rematch ordered, so Ruiz claims. “That is absolutely ridiculous,” Sauerland Event managing director Chris Meyer said. “His accusations are without any substance. They are an affront to the WBA and their officials. Everybody saw that Nikolai clearly won the fight.” 

 

Ruiz accuses judge Takeshi Shimakawa of keeping a running score, while blaming Antonio Requena for scoring two rounds even. He also criticised the referee for ruling a slip rather than a knock down when Valuev slipped in the second round. “Not even in his wildest dreams could Ruiz knock Valuev down,” Meyer said. “The TV pictures clearly show that Nikolai slipped. After the 24 rounds the two have been in the ring, there can be no doubt that Ruiz could not knock Valuev down even if he had his arms handcuffed to his back.” 

 

Ruiz also claims that Valuev´s corner received updates of the scoring during the fight. “This accusation is untrue, too,” Meyer added. “WBA supervisor Robert Mack has already made that clear.” 

 

It was Mack who had immediately sorted out the confusion about the verdict, which had accidentally been announced as a split decision rather than an unanimous points victory for Valuev. Mack apologised for the mistake at the official press conference. “Nikolai will have nothing to fear from the WBA,” Meyer added. “But it really is a shame that Ruiz acts as a sore loser yet again.” 

 

For the international media, the outcome of the fight was clear. The Daily Telegraph wrote: “On closer examination of the 12 rounds, Valuev will clearly be seen to have dominated Ruiz with his jab, and 84 inch reach, allied with having the greater skills he showed when he outpointed former titleholder Sergei Liakhovich, from Belarus, winning every round in a February 2008 title eliminator at the Nuremberg Arena.” Bild, Germany´s biggest-selling tabloid, reported: “Gigantic win for Russian Giant. All in all it was a sovereign victory.”