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| December 19, 2005 | Monday | Ziqa’ad 16, 1426 |
Valuev takes WBA title
BERLIN, Dec 18: Russia’s Nikolay Valuev beat America’s John Ruiz to win the WBA heavyweight title here on Saturday but the fight ended in controversy when the points decision was jeered and the members of the American’s camp became involved in an ugly brawl.
The 32-year-old Russian, fighting for a world title for the first time, became the tallest (7ft) and heaviest (330 pounds) champion of all time.
But his win, awarded by a 114-114, 116-113, 116-114 decision, came amid huge controversy.
Many in the arena thought Ruiz, the defending champion, had done enough to retain his title and keep alive his dream of a unification fight with Hasim Rahman, who inherited the WBC version after Vitali Klitschko was forced to retire last month.
Ruiz’s coach Norman Stone was outraged by the decision grabbing the belt and screaming at Valuev’s camp: ‘You suck’ as he was led from the ring by security staff.
“Only in boxing can you get robbed without a gun,” Ruiz said. “I feel like I won the fight and this is a shame. I definitely want a rematch, and I will even fight him back here in Germany. My promoter Don King has to do his job now and step up to the plate.”—AFP
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