David Slays Nikolai”ath”

November 9th, 2009

David Haye dethroned the Russian Giant, Nikolai Valuev, and captured the WBA Heavyweight belt in an uneventful yet intriguing title fight in Nuremberg, Germany. A majority decision win clinched it for the former undisputed cruiserweight champion. The scores are 114-114, 116-112 and 116-112. I have it at 115-113. Speed was more than enough for the Hayemaker to overcome the 9-inch and almost 100-lb. disadvantage. He circled around Valuev while throwing combinations that does not seem to hurt Valuev until the 12^th. A left hook wobbled the Russian but managed to survive the British onslaught.

Haye is mandated to defend his title against former titlist John Ruiz who won via a 7^th round stoppage in the undercard against Adnan Serin. Ruiz, Valuev’s mandatory challenger, agreed to step aside with the condition of getting a shot at the winner. Haye will be an overwhelming favorite over Ruiz. An expected win will open renegotiations against one of the vaunted Klitschko brothers.