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The heavyweight division has a new "Beast" of a champion. Nicolay "Beast from The East" Valuev (44-0, 31KO) managed to overcome the hug and tug style of John "Quietman" Ruiz (41-6, 28KO) to capture the WBA heavyweight title before a roaring hometown crowd at the Max Schmeling Hall in Berlin, Germany. The fight was close, but Valuev's display of boxing skill was enough to persuade two of the three judges to score a majority of the rounds in his favor. Judge Derek Milham had it 116-114, judge Hector Hernandez had it 116-113 and Francisco Martinez scored the fight a 114-114 draw.
There were no knockdowns in the fight and most ringside observers felt it was a very difficult fight to score. Ruiz made an uncharacteristic fast, aggressive start and used his speed advantage to beat Valuev to the punch. As the fight went on, Ruiz appeared to slow down and lose his aggressive nature. Valuev was able to keep Ruiz at bay by boxing well from the outside and using his left jab to keep distance between them.
When the two fighters locked up, Valuev was more than strong enough to overpower Ruiz on the inside. The decision got a mixed reaction from the near sold out Max Schmeling Hall. Ruizīs trainer Norman Stone was so upset about the scoring that he took the WBA heavyweight belt and tried to run out of the ring with the title. One of Valuevīs cornermen jumped on Stone and a physical altercation escalated. Ringside security guards pulled the two men apart and restored order.
As a result of his victory, Valuev made boxing history. He became the tallest and heaviest world boxing champion in history of the sport. Valuev gives new meaning to the phrase - size does matter. He weighed 324 pounds for the fight and is seven feet tall. [details]
There were no knockdowns in the fight and most ringside observers felt it was a very difficult fight to score. Ruiz made an uncharacteristic fast, aggressive start and used his speed advantage to beat Valuev to the punch. As the fight went on, Ruiz appeared to slow down and lose his aggressive nature. Valuev was able to keep Ruiz at bay by boxing well from the outside and using his left jab to keep distance between them.
When the two fighters locked up, Valuev was more than strong enough to overpower Ruiz on the inside. The decision got a mixed reaction from the near sold out Max Schmeling Hall. Ruizīs trainer Norman Stone was so upset about the scoring that he took the WBA heavyweight belt and tried to run out of the ring with the title. One of Valuevīs cornermen jumped on Stone and a physical altercation escalated. Ringside security guards pulled the two men apart and restored order.
As a result of his victory, Valuev made boxing history. He became the tallest and heaviest world boxing champion in history of the sport. Valuev gives new meaning to the phrase - size does matter. He weighed 324 pounds for the fight and is seven feet tall. [details]
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