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Wow.
BERLIN (AP) — John Ruiz lost the WBA heavyweight title Saturday night, dropping a disputed split decision to Russian 7-footer Nikolay Valuev. Valuev, who becomes the tallest and heaviest (323 pounds) champion of all-time, won 116-113 and 116-114 on two judges’ cards, with a third judge scoring the fight 114-114. The crowd of 10,000 booed the decision. “I had to wait 12 years for this and now it has happened,” the 32-year-old Valuev said. “It’s fantastic.” Ruiz, who weighed 85 pounds less than Valuev at 238, appeared to have the fight in hand, using a jab-and-grab tactic to slip in a few punches and then tie up Valuev. Valuev began throwing combinations in the seventh round, adding to a left jab that landed from the opening round. In the ninth, Valuev even danced a bit. Valuev landed the only punch that did damage in the final round, hitting Ruiz on the chin with a straight left that wobbled the champion. Ruiz clinched his way to the end of the fight. “Boxing is the only sport where you can get robbed without a gun,” Ruiz said. “My promoter Don King should do his job and get a rematch.” Ruiz’s record fell to 42-6-1, while Valuev improved to 43-0 with one no-decision. Ruiz lost to James Toney in April, then was given the title when Toney was stripped of the crown for testing positive for steroids. ![]() He's obviously on the left (this also obviously isn't the Ruiz fight). |
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