Haye wins heavyweight title

David Haye produced a punch-perfect performance to cut Russian giant Nikolai Valuev down to size and win the WBA heavyweight title in Germany tonight with a majority decision points victory.

Haye executed his gameplan perfectly, keeping out of Valuev's range while picking the champion off when the opportunity presented itself to cruise to a seemingly clear victory - with two of the judges awarding him the win by four rounds but the other somehow seeing it a draw.

Haye, 29, carried a record of 22 wins (21KOs) and one defeat into the contest against the 7ft 2ins champion, who had also suffered just one defeat in his 52 fights with a total of 34 knockouts.

A fevered build-up to the fight in Britain saw hopes of a Haye victory increase significantly but in reality it was a daunting task against a man who yesterday weighed in seven stone heavier than the Englishman at 22st 8lbs.

Valuev stalked Haye from the centre of the ring from the first bell with the Englishman looking to land quick shots and get out of harm's way.

Haye landed a few single blows and took little from Valuev, landing a nice left hook and later a solid left-right double.

Despite Valuev's huge reach advantage, it was Haye landing the point-scoring punches as a left hook - thrown upwards to reach Valuev's head - hit home cleanly while a right hand also connected in the second session.

Valuev finally landed a punch of note with a stiff jab in the third only for Haye to sting him with another perfectly-executed left-right before moving out of range again.

Haye, with his hands held typically low, was happy to let Valuev be the aggressor and continued to slip and slide out of trouble with another arcing left hook catching Valuev sweetly in the fourth.

The Englishman continued to edge the rounds and a solid three-punch combination seemed to have an effect on Valuev, who landed a strong right of his own before the fifth round was over.

While the challenger seemed to be enjoying more success, the ringside judges were not necessarily giving him the rounds as the sixth saw another left lead from Haye find the spot.

Valuev had by far his best round in the seventh and it was arguably the first he had won, landing the jab regularly and connecting with a left hook and moments later a good right hand.

However, Haye stole a quiet ninth round by feinting with the left before driving a big right down the middle straight onto Valuev's non-plussed face.

Haye was back to his best in the 10th, boxing off the back foot and landing the left hook, by far his best weapon all night.

A right to the body gave Valuev something to think about and in the closing stages of the round another powerful right seemed to hurt the Russian.

Haye's neat footwork denied Valuev the chance to grapple as he would normally do, while the champion appeared more tentative in the 11th - perhaps being discouraged by the stinging shots coming the other way.

Heading into the final round, Haye appeared to have a clear lead. Valuev was typically predictable and slow while Haye executed his gameplan perfectly.

He upped the ante in style, however, landing another left-right but it was two huge left hooks which seriously rocked Valuev for the first time in the fight as the champion wobbled.

Haye could not find the early finish but was happy to raise his arm in celebration with the final bell imminent.

And when the scores of 114-114 (even) and 116-112 twice for Haye were read out, the new champion's childhood dreams were realised with a majority points decision.

Earlier, American John Ruiz - the mandatory challenger for the WBA title being contested by Haye and Valuev - stopped Germany's Adnan Serin with a seventh round retirement.