By Peter Wells: So there was no big knockout, no Haye wearing out down the stretch, just a good, not particularly exciting but a fight that kept you on edge. Despite the doubts Haye out boxed Valuev for 12 rounds straight despite only winning a majority decision. Haye may have fought at a slower pace, but it was the sensible option and he didn’t go rushing in for the knockout. Haye though was so very close to stopping the ‘Russian Giant’ in the last round and wouldn’t that have been a great picture for the front page. I have to give Valuev all respect, he threw more punches than ever before, and was much faster coming forward, but when he had David against the ropes he just didn’t capitalize. The ‘Hayemaker’ won by scores of 116-112 twice and 114-114.

Round-By-Round

Round 1: David started very light on his feet, moving about avoiding the jabs coming from Valuev, but throwing some on his own mainly to the giant torso of the man mountain. I fought it was a very hard round to call and nothing of any significance was landed I called it an even round.

10-10 Even

Round 2: David worked much better getting more confident, throwing much more punches and making Nikolai miss on many occasions. Near the end of the round David landed a solid right hand to the forehead of Valuev followed by two punches to the body, but the giant just shook his head unfazed by the flurry.

10-9 Haye

Round 3: For the first minute once again nothing happened, then Haye got through with another solid right round the side which Holyfield had found out that you can get through with hooks to the side of the head. Valuev got back with a few jabs, but once again Haye just nicked it with that big overhand right.

10-9 Haye

Round 4: Valuev started much stronger straight away landing two jabs, Haye caught Valuev with another one-two to the forehead, but Valuev landed enough jabs on Haye’s very exposed chin to win the round.

10-9 Valuev

Round 5: Valuev once again caught Haye early on with a double jab, but Haye fought back catching him with another right hand, but near the end Haye was caught on the ropes and got away without any serious punishment, David ended with another neat one-two but Valuev once again just did enough to scrape it.

10-9 Valuev

Round 6: By far the most entertaining round so far in the fight, Valuev kicked off well again but Haye caught him again with a big right hand, then David was caught for a moment on the ropes, before volleying back with another stinging right hand.

10-9 Haye

Round 7: Now the fight started sizzling, after a slow start, Haye caught Valuev flush on the chin coming in, then came in with another quick right beating Valuev by a mile, then ended with a double flurry shaking the huge head of Nikolai.

10-9 Haye

Round 8: Valuev looked stronger this round, almost catching David on the ropes again but the ‘Hayemaker’ was too quick and stunned Valuev a couple more times with that solid left-right round the sides, David had now totally forgot about the body and was landing big dangerous punches to Valuev’s head.

10-9 Haye

Round 9: A complete dominant round for Haye, he caught him flush with many rights and lefts, and Valuev just couldn’t catch him at all, one fantastic right hand knocked back Nikolai’s head before a couple of left hands rocked him back again.

10-9 Haye

Round 10: This round was a lot quieter, Valuev land the more jabs and Haye only got through once or twice with his left right.

10-9 Valuev

Round 11: Once again a slower paced round, Valuev looked desperate trying to hold onto Haye, but got caught with a right hook as David came away, Valuev used his jab well but couldn’t land any effective punches.

10-9 Valuev

Round 12: Valuev caught Haye with a good right but was caught himself after, Haye landed four punches in a row then ended with a short, sharp left hook which had Valuev all over the place, David tried to finish him but Valuev held on before being clobbered by another right hand. Huge end for David.

10-9 Haye

Final Result: 116-113 Haye

Valuev has earned a lot of respect from me and is a great sportsman, and as Haye said, he’ll be a world champion again soon. As for Haye he proved a lot of doubter wrong last night and deserves to enjoy every second of it.