NUREMBERG – David Haye landed the WBA heavyweight title with victory over Nikolai Valuev and then set his sights on the Klitschko brothers as part of his quest to dominate the division.
The 29-year-old from London scored a majority decision verdict after taking the 2.13m tall, 143kg Russian giant the full 12-round distance, using his superior speed to stay away from his opponent’s close-range punches.Haye must now face John Ruiz of the United States in a mandatory defence, but says he will then seek out either IBF and WBO champion Wladimir Klitscko or his brother Vitali, the WBC champion.’Anyone who has a belt is in my sights now – definitely the Klitschkos,’ said Haye, who had secured fights with both Ukrainian brothers last summer only for the match-ups to fall through.’The Klitschkos tried to lock me down in a crazy contract. I am free now to fight who I want to.’Haye revealed he had damaged his right hand early in Saturday’s fight and was shocked at how hard Valuev’s head was to punch.’I damaged my right early in the fight, I think it was the second round, he has a very hard head, it was like punching a brick wall,’ said Haye.’I have hit heavy bags before in the gym, but I knew I had broken my hand straight away.’Haye, Britain’s first heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis’s retirement in 2003, said it was an incredible feeling to have won.’It’s a bit surreal to be honest. When you strive for something your whole life, what do you do?’ he said. – Nampa-AFP
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