Ruiz Is Quieted

Giant Valuev Is Crowned

 By Oliver Richardt At Ringside
 
His appearance to the ring is unique.
When Nikolay Valuev (32) enters the ring, the over 6'10 foot giant from Russia steps over the ropes …and the same way he left the ring an hour later after taking the WBA-belt over title holder John Ruiz (33).
 
Nikolay Valuev won a split decision in the Berlin Max-Schmeling-Halle over Ruiz – 116-114, 116-113, 114-114 and became the first Russian, the biggest and heaviest Heavyweight Champion of all times! 6'10 foot and 324 pounds!
 
8,000 fans wanted the "Beast from the East" to become the Champ. Valuev, who is professional since 1993, was always called the circus boxer – more an attraction because of his physical appearance than a real boxer, and wasn't taken for granted especially after winning a controversial decision over Larry Donald to qualify for this title bout earlier this year.
 
The bout against Ruiz wasn't a good fight at all. Valuev, slow moving and Ruiz who always jumped toward his opponent to get into the in fight. The American had control of the bout from the beginning, scored with his jabs and two nice combinations. So he did and won the second round too. Valuev as the challenger was inactive, didn't come with the fight plan to attack with double jabs. The following rounds saw low action and Valuev still was slowly moving and just with some jabs which found their goal.
 
The fight turned in round eight. The Russian, behind on all score cards, connected with combinations, adding to a left jab. The fight became close and giant Valuev, 85 pounds heavier, started after forced by his coach, to speed up. His jabs and some effective right hands had some impressions on Ruiz and the judges.
 
The American took a hard straight left hand to his chin in the final round and clinched his way to the end.
 
The crowd whistles and booed after the judges announcement for Valuev, who as "their" fighter, he calls Berlin his second hometown, because "the fight could have been scored tie or even for Ruiz", as former Champion Wladimir Klitschko as co-commentary for German TV said.
 
John Ruiz said: "I think this is ridiculous. The referee didn't do his job." Ruiz  criticized that Valuev hasn't been stopped for holding and elbows. Ref Stanley Christodoulou from South Africa had warned Nikolay Valuev several times in the fight for throwing elbows and holding but never deducted a point. Which could have changed the result.
 
The biggest entertainment and action happened after Ruiz had left the ring and Valuev was holding up the belt. Ruiz coach Norman Stone was so upset about the result that he grabbed the belt from Valuev's shoulder and started to show it to the crowd for his man. This started a riot in the ring and some fists were thrown. In the end Stone was taken out by several security men.
 
"I had to wait 12 years for this and now it has happened", said 32-year-old Valuev. "It's just fantastic."
 
Laila Ali Wins Under Muhammad's Eyes
 
The biggest cheer of the evening in the Max-Schmeling-Halle came an hour before the main event when Muhammad Ali, the greatest, entered the arena. His youngest daughter Laila waited with her fight until her dad was there and took his seat. Earlier Muhammad was honored for his human charity work he did in his life.
 
Daughter Laila (27) met 38-year old Swedish Asa Sandell in a non-title women's bout to continue her straight series to 22 victories (22-0-0). But it was a surprising start. Sandell came out with a lot of power and good jabs to Ali's head and some nice right hands.
 
She was ahead in the first two rounds but then Laila Ali turned the fight and didn't want to disappoint her dad. Aggressiv from the beginning of round three Laila score with hooks and upper cuts. Swedish Sandell was now getting what she was afraid of.
 
Round four was even more one sided for Ali. And after seven really hard hits in a row to head and chin in round five the referee stopped the fight after 1,51 minutes – TKO.
"I thought that it will be tougher, but I am disappointed that the fight was stopped right away. I think Asa could have gone for more than that", said Laila Ali. Indeed, the referee stopped the fight immediately and didn't even count although Sandell wasn't on the canvas.
Ali: "In women boxing the referees stop the fights always way earlier. I am sorry for the fans."