Valuev defeats Ruiz to clinch WBA heavyweight title

Nikolai Valuev is the new WBA heavyweight champion following a unanimous points victory over John Ruiz. The Russian Giant was ahead 116-111, 116-113 and 114-113 on the scorecards to regain the belt he already held from December 2005 to April 2007. "I am happy to be the champion again," Valuev said. "The new training methods have paid off. I was much quicker than in the first meeting."

Back then, at the same venue and against the same opponent, he had clinched a split decision, but this time, he cruised to a clear success. "In the first seven or eight rounds we saw the best Nikolai ever," manager Wilfried Sauerland stated. "He moved and used his left jab well before getting a little tired towards the end. Ruiz was a tough opponent but Nikolai beat him clearly."

There was more holding and clinching in the second half of the fight, but Valuev kept firing in his long left jab and also connected with rights, while Ruiz tried to get inside to land the occasional punch. In the eighth, the Russian Giant connected with a thunderous one-two combination that wobbled his opponent, but Ruiz, who has only been stopped once in his career, shook it off. "We knew it would be a tough fight," Valuev coach Alexander Zimin said. "It was our goal not to fight Ruiz but to box him and Niko did just that. I am very pleased with his performance."

The American failed to make significant impact in the final rounds as Valuev cruised to an uncontested victory. "I really have to thank Alexander," he stated. "Thanks to his training, I have become quicker and more mobile. That was key to success tonight." Ruiz left the ring disappointed. "I feel like I have won the fight," he said. "I am very sad about the outcome but I want to thank the German fans and the German people for their support," he added before abruptly leaving the press conference. "I hope to come back one day - for pleasure, not for business."

Don King believes there are big things ahead for the Russian Giant. "Nikolai is improving tremendously. He was great with his jab and the one-two punches. I think he is going to be the world's best fighter. He has a great trainer and keeps getting better. I am sure he will unify the titles."

On a sidenote, there was a slight confusion after the fight when a split decision was announced. After reviewing the issue, the verdict was officially changed to a unanimous points victory. "I apologize for the mistake," the WBA supervisor Robert Mack stated. "It was my fault." Judge Takeshi Shimakawa had given the last round to Valuev but Mack had accidentally counted it for Ruiz. It was then officially changed to 114-113 for Valuev.

On the undercard, Francesco Pianeta clinched the vacant EU heavyweight title with a ninth-round TKO victory over Scott Gammer. Trailing on all scorecards, the Hammer retired after the eighth round due to a broken hand. Ulli Wegner praised his 23-year-old fighter for a "strong performance. "Francesco did very well," the coach said. "He fought very cleverly against an experienced boxer. Even under pressure he kept a cool head." Most of Gammer's attacks landed on Pianeta's strong defense, for the German to land good shots to body and head. "I stuck to the game plan and did not allow him to hit me very often," Pianeta said. "That was a very good test for me."

Return to the homepage Post fight Photo Gallery Valuev Robe Auction Story Robe Auction Link Press Release

November 7, 2008 - GOLOTA vs AUSTIN
October 11, 2008 - PETER vs. KLITSCHKO
September 13 2008 Mississippi
March 27, 2008 - SPINKS vs PHILLIPS
March 3, 2008 - MASKAEV vs PETER

SEE ALL EVENT PAGE ARCHIVES

November 7, 2008 - GOLOTA vs AUSTIN
September 13, 2008 - Mississippi
March 27, 2008 - SPINKS vs PHILLIPS
PETER vs MCCLINE
TRINIDAD vs JONES

SEE ALL FIGHT PROGRAMS ON PDF

Photo Gallery

Nicolai Valuev and John Ruiz attend a press conference for their upcoming fight Saturday, August 30, 2008

Return to the homepage Post fight Photo Gallery Valuev Robe Auction Story Robe Auction Link Press Release


DK speaks at International Peace Conference	Cunningham vs. Adamek 12.11.08	Don King on MySpace

DON KING PRIZEFIGHTER	HYPE KINGDOM	DK'S MUSIC VIDEO

Special charity auction - Valuev's boxing robe on ebay

Big man, big heart: After his WBA heavyweight title fight against John Ruiz, Nikolai Valuev will make a special charity donation, selling his boxing robe on ebay. The auction has already started and will end on September 1. All money will go toGerman medical aid organisation action medeor, which provides medical equipment to people in developing countries. "I hope for lots of boxing fans to join the auction so that a lot of money will be raised to help children in the poorer regions of the world," Valuev said. "This project means a lot to me." The boxing robe (blue/white/red) will carry the Russian Giant's signature. AUCTION

Return to the homepage Post fight Photo Gallery Valuev Robe Auction Story Robe Auction Link Press Release

Nicolai Valuev and John Ruiz attend a press conference for their upcoming fight Saturday, August 30, 2008

Valuev, Ruiz warm up for rematch Nikolai Valuev and John Ruiz would not stop staring at each other when they posed for the photographers following today's press conference in Berlin.
After two long minutes, they were finally separated by Wilfried
Sauerland and Don King. "I think we will be seeing a very exciting fight on Saturday," Sauerland predicted.

Both fighters are brimming with confidence ahead of their rematch. "I
feel like I won the first fight," Ruiz said. "I am here in Germany to
get the belt back. I have worked very hard in practice with my coach. I
am in great shape and I will show that on Saturday." His trainer, Manny Siaca Sr., was also confident of success. "On Saturday the two best heavyweight boxers will meet in the ring. But this time the ending will be different from their last meeting. You will see that John Ruiz will be world champion again."

The Russian Giant, however, has different plans. "It would take too long to describe all the things I have changed (in my game)," he stated. "I have prepared very hard and very long. I am in very good shape. I want to win!" Wilfried Sauerland warned everyone not to underestimate the 36-year-old former champion. "I saw Samuel Peter's fight against Jameel
McCline. Peter went down three times. But then McCline clearly lost to Ruiz on points."

Don King also praised Ruiz' performance against McCline. "John did a great job," the US promoter stated. "He is here to win. He will be in great shape. All eyes will be on Berlin. We can expect a great fight."

(Picture credit: Photo Wende)

Here are the weights from Berlin

WBA heavyweight title:

Nikolai Valuev: 144,4 kg
John Ruiz: 108,6 kg

EU heavyweight title:

Francesco Pianeta: 110,0 kg
Scott Gammer: 109,1 kg

Valuev, Ruiz public work-out

Five days ahead of their clash for the vacant WBA heavyweight title, in the heart of Berlin. "I want the title back," the Russian Giant said taste of his improved mobility. Prior to Valuev's appearance, which shadow boxing and skipping exercises. "I am 36 years old," he commented. I am confident I will get this done. I will certainly make the most of this chance."

Also in action were WBC youth heavyweight champion Francesco Pianeta and Scott Gammer, who clash for the vacant EU heavyweight title. "I will not miss out on the opportunity to become the new EU champion," a confident Pianeta stated.

In a third heavyweight clash on August 30, Cengiz Koc, who is coached by Oktay Urkal, and Rene Dettweiler will battle out an internal Team Sauerland duel. "Only a win will help me to move up," said Dettweiler, who will have Otto Ramin in his corner for the first time. "We have been working together very well," Dettweiler added.