Russian giant Nikolai Valuev won the World Boxing Assn. heavyweight championship Saturday night, using his left jab to outpoint American John Ruiz in an unanimous decision at Berlin.

The fight was first declared a split decision, but the score was officially later changed to give Valuev all three of the judges' votes.

The 7-foot Valuev (49-1) regained the title he lost to Ruslan Chagaev in April 2007 and beat Ruiz (43-8-1) for the second time.

The judges scored it for Valuev, 116-113, 116-111 and 114-113.

WBA delegate John Pack said one of the officials, ringside judge Takeshi Shimakawa, alerted him after the first split decision was read out that he too had given the fight to Valuev.


The decision wasn't popular with everyone in the crowd, with some of the crowd booing the outcome.

Valuev, with a massive advantage in height, weight and reach, also won a disputed decision over Ruiz in December 2005.

"I thought I won the fight," Ruiz said.

The scorecards were taken back and fourth from the ring several times.

Valuev landed a few big rights, but not enough to put Ruiz into trouble. Ruiz could not connect with more than one punch at a time.

LA TIMES