BERLIN // Nikolai Valuev clinched the vacant WBA heavyweight title with a unanimous victory over John Ruiz. In a battle of the two former champions, Valuev won with scorecards of 116-111, 116-113 and 114-113 from the three judges. It is the second time the Russian Giant has deprived the American Ruiz, 36, of his WBA belt after winning a close encounter in Dec 2005.
Again, Valuev made good use of his size advantage, controlling the centre of the ring in the opening rounds. Working behind his long left jab, he landed several shots, but Ruiz marched on fearlessly. The "Quiet Man" tried to get inside to inflict damage, and he did so in the second round when he landed a big right to the head. * PA Sport
