Team Sauerland believes there was nothing wrong with picking David Haye as an opponent for Nikolai Valuev. The Russian Giant lost his WBA Heavyweight Title on November 7 when the British challenger clinched a majority decision in front of a sell-out crowd of 8,000 fans in Nuremberg. The fight also drew a TV market share of more than 40 percent in Germany. “After negotiations with Vitali Klitschko had fallen through because he would not get back to us, we were looking for a new opponent for Niko,” Team Sauerland General Manager Chris Meyer said..
“After Chagaev got beaten, Valuev had to fight Ruiz in a mandatory defence, but Niko had already beaten him twice. This bout wasn’t marketable at all. That is why we considered a showdown with up-and-coming David Haye the far better option. All parties, and that includes Niko, his coach and our partner Don King, agreed to the bout as there was no real alternative. As the split decision indicates, it was a very close fight. We expected Niko to dominate late in the fight, and had he won the final two rounds, he would still be the champion. But David Haye put on a great performance and left the ring as the winner. The contracts do guarantee Niko a rematch and we are sure the outcome will be different when the two meet again.”
Ruiz celebrates and waits for Haye fight
After knocking out Adnan Serin in Germany (Nov. 7), 2-time World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz returned home to Las Vegas, where he’s shown in this photo celebrating in his game room smoking one of his favorite cigars, Padron Serie 1926 80th Anniversary. Ruiz, the first and only world heavyweight champion of Latino heritage, has a mandated WBA title fight against new champ David Haye next year. It will mark Ruiz’ 12th world title fight.
