Boxing giant Valuev glad to regain WBA title

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

BERLIN (AFP) — Russian giant Nikolai Valuev said he was pleased to win back the vacated WBA belt after his unanimous points win over fellow former champion John Ruiz in Berlin on Saturday night.

The 35-year-old Valuev eventually won the fight 116-111, 116-113 and 114-113 according to the three judges, despite the contest initially being declared a split decision. He replaced the injured Ruslan Chagaev as WBA champion.

"I am pleased to have won the title back again," said the Russian.

"That was a hard piece of work, but we had prepared thoroughly before the fight."

This was the second time Valuev and Ruiz had met in the ring at Berlin's Max Schmeling Halle and it was a second win for the Russian.

In December 2005, Valuev defeated the American...