ZURICH – Russia’s Nikolai Valuev successfully defended his WBA title here on Saturday night with a majority decision win over former world champion Evander Holyfield over 12 rounds.
Despite a brave display from 46-year-old Holyfield, who was bidding for his fifth world crown, the judges scored it 114-114, 116-112, 115-114 in Valuev’s favour as the giant Russian successfully defended the vacated title he won against John Ruiz in August.
‘He was a strong opponent and he made me work very hard for the win,’ said Valuev after his victory.
‘It was a challenging fight, it was a hard fight, he was unbelievably fast with his punches.
‘I am proud to have fought him, it was a fast paced fight.’
But it was not an impressive display from Valuev with both Klitschko brothers Vladimir and Witali, who between them hold four world titles, eager to fight him to add the WBA title to their collection.
And Holyfield’s coach Thomas Brooks insisted the best fighter lost.
‘We didn’t fail, we won that fight here,’ said Brooks.
‘As far as I am concerned, we won and anyone who knows me knows I call a spade a spade.’
And Holyfield’s manager Kenneth Sanders said he wants a re-match here next year which Valuev’s camp immediately said was possible.
Holyfield, who beat the likes of Riddick Bowe, Mike Tyson, George Foreman and James ‘Buster’ Douglas in the 1990s, now has a record of ten defeats, 42 wins with 27 knock-outs and two draws from his 54 fights. – Nampa-Reuters
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