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Boxing

Valuev takes heavyweight title

18/12/2005

Giant Russian Nikolay Valuev has won the WBA heavyweight title with a controversial points decision over American John Ruiz.

The seven-foot-tall Valuev was given the bout 116-113, 116-114, 114-114 to spark jeers from the 10,000 crowd in Berlin who thought the fight should have gone to Ruiz.

Reigning champion Ruiz looked to have done enough, using his mobility to good effect and cutting his opponent below the left eye.

However, Valuev had his moments, especially in the eighth and twelfth rounds, which seemed to have been enough.

The pivotal moment in the fight came with 90 seconds left in the final round as a Valuev right-left combination left the American reeling and sent the judges' scoring in his favour.

"I had to wait 12 years for this and now it has happened, it's fantastic," Valuev said afterwards.

Valuev is now set for a crack at America as promoter Don King said he would be looking to take the 32-year-old across the Atlantic.

However, Ruiz, who was aiming for a unification bout with WBC champion Hasim Rahman, was far from happy with the verdict and immediately called for a rematch.

"Boxing is the only sport where you can get robbed without a gun," Ruiz said.

Valuev, at seven-feet-tall and 324lbs, becomes the tallest and heaviest champion in history.

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