KING DAVID SLAYS GOLIATH

WORLD CHAMP - London's David Haye brought Nikolai Valuev down to size

Londoner David Haye takes world title from Nikolai Valuev

KING OF THE RING - David Haye

By STEVE LILLIS in Nuremburg, 07/11/2009

DAVID HAYE produced the greatest performance since Goliath was slain to wrench the WBA world heavyweight title from Russian beast Nikolai Valuev.

The Londoner was given little chance against the 7ft 2in, 22st champion but produced a boxing master class to fulfil his promise in Nuremberg.

Judges Tom Miller and Stefano Carozza gave it to Haye 116-112 while Juan Reyes Garcia made the nerve-filled scrap a 114-114 draw.

Haye, 29, looked a clear winner using the ring brilliantly against his rival, who was an amazing SEVEN stone heavier.

Valuev finished the fight an exhausted man having been badly hurt and wobbled in the final round.

But the Bermondsey powerhouse, who won for the 23rd time in 24 fights, revealed he battled through most of the fight with a suspected broken right hand after cracking the giant Russian's skull in the second round.

Haye admitted: "I caned my hand early in the fight. I got him with a big overhead right but his head is solid - it's like hitting a brick wall.

"It happened in the second round and I had to change my tactics. I wanted to be more aggressive but my hand was very tender and very sore that's why I had to take my foot off the gas and win it clever.

"I'm pretty sure it's broken but it's a small price to pay for being the champion of the world.

"This means everything to me. When I was a little baby I said I'd be heavyweight champion of the world one day - and today the dream has come true.

"Now I'm going to party all night long and everyone is welcome to get smashed with me!"

Around 1,500 Britons made themselves heard in the Nuremberg Arena hoping to see the Bermondsey boy become Britain's sixth world heavyweight champion.

Haye was certainly relaxed about emulating Bob Fitzsimmons, Lennox Lewis, Henry Akinwande, Herbie Hide and Frank Bruno.

At 2am yesterday the former world cruiserweight champion was so calm ahead of the big clash he woke up trainer Adam Booth and pal Danny Watts to go for a walk.

As Haye emerged from a dry ice-filled tunnel he had the look of a man who meant business against the man he had constantly insulted since the fight announced more than three months ago.

When the biggest and tallest heavyweight champion in history took centre stage with Finnish rockers Sunrise Heaven playing live to the 8,000 sell-out crowd, the place almost shook with noise despite boos from Haye's barmy army.

The raucous crowd might not have been the biggest, but the atmosphere in the converted ice rink was white-hot booing of the Russian national anthem by sozzled Brits was embarrassing.

Valuev, 36, dismissed Haye as an "idiot" during the build-up to the colossal clash, but the moment he had dreamt of since walking into Fitzroy Lodge amateur club at the age of 10 had finally arrived.

Two-time champion Valuev looked massive stood opposite Haye as Puerto Rican ref Luis Pabon gave his final instructions.

When the fight started the difference had to be seen to be believed as Haye stayed out of range from the champion's jab.

Valuev just stalked Haye, who prodded out jabs to his enormous rival's belly, and it really did look a tall order.

The most telling shot of a tense opening round was a left from Valuev, which stung Haye.

The Brit landed his first proper punch of the bout early in round two, a left hook - but his hairy opponent seemed unmoved.

Towards the end if the round Haye's lightning speed came to play and that huge overhand right caught Valuev - but may have fractured the Londoner's fist.

The Russian just shook his head to say 'Is that the best you have?' - but Haye had won the round despite few shots bring thrown.

When the Brit returned to his corner, manager/trainer Adam Booth told him to keep calm. He was doing just that.

All the good work was coming from cagey Haye and there looked real hope that an upset was possible.

Just as the bell sounded to end the third session, Haye ducked low and threw a booming overhand right that hit the target.

Adopted German Valuev was being roared by the crowd and won Haye's respect when he caught him in the corner.

One of the biggest concerns for Haye was that Valuev would lean on him at every opportunity and sap his strength.

Haye was using the ring beautifully and moving which neutralised Valuev's much feared jab.

Haye appeared to have a slight lead on the scorecards at the halfway point, but Valuev started to have a little more success.

Sensing it was close, Valuev's corner were urging their man forward in the eighth - but Haye was utterly dominant in the three minutes.

Going into the final three rounds it looked like Valuev needed a KO to triumph with Haye clearly winning a cagey battle.

"Only in the last round did it seem to hurt and to stun him - but he wasn't hitting me."

Haye will now have a well-deserved rest before making his first defence against John Ruiz.

Your comments

This article has 85 comments

im back again, ive already posted a comment but after reading some of the garbage posted i just had to return and post a reply especially to victoria ingham, who i reckon just because she can name some legendary boxers obviously thinks that she is some sort of expert, well i got news for you love, carry on talking the talk cos thats all your good for, you know nothing about the sport, as i said earlier its all about tactics and skill and Haye fought the perfect fight, ok it wasnt pretty but this isnt a Rocky movie its real life for the real heavyweight championship of the world, tyson, lewis, ali, calzaghe and all the great champions all had a dull fight and all struggled against some fighters but they won and carried on winning, please please stop talking as if you know your stuff cos its so obvious to whoever reads it that your a muppet. at least there are some people who know their boxing like mr rich b (SAME NAME, NO RELATION) his entry and others like it are worth reading, i predict that king David Haye will go on to unify the titles and become a legend himself and soon miss ingham will be able to mention his name along side that of Ali, Tyson, and the other names she has heard of, and thats all it is cos she knows nothing else, if she wants to prove her knowledge then i have a question for her if miss ingham can answer it without looking up the answer on the net then yes she has some knowledge. How many people beat Tyson and name them in order, my bet is that you will have to look it up cos your knowledge is limited to remembering a few names, get back to your knitting x

By richy b.. Posted November 12 2009 at 1:26 PM.

what do you want Haye to do get in a time machine and fight past legends! you can only fight people in 2009! WELL DONE HAYE!!!

By joe.. Posted November 9 2009 at 12:36 PM.

Victoria Ingham who are you? You clearly have as much idea about boxing as you do about punctuation! David Hay was never going th knock Valuev out and he knew that, along with everyone else who knows anything about boxing! He has never, ever been on the canvas and David was 7 stone lighter. The only way he was going to win was to out box him and let's not forget that the art of boxing is to hit your opponent without getting hit! That was Hayes plan and he executed it perfectly!!! Never mind mentioning Ali, Tyson and Lewis, this way Haye v Valuev a man mountain who had an excellent record. Hayes movement and boxing were perfect and anyone who knocks him clearly has no clue about boxing and would be better off watching a punch up outside the chip shop on a Saturday night. Congratulation David Haye you fought the perfect fight.

By richb.. Posted November 9 2009 at 11:10 AM.

Well done David. From reports I've read you fought the Russian Bear using your strongest assets, speed, agility and devastsating punching power! Brilliant!! I hope your dream of bringing all the titles together is realised. The heavyweight division needs an exciting fighter and you're it mate!

By John.. Posted November 9 2009 at 10:51 AM.

Right to all you who say Haye is a legend no-way face facts pity he never fought Lewis,Tyson they would have nailed him Haye is just cocky and am sorry but that was a pathetic fight and no-way if I was Haye would be gloating if I had won on points Haye proved himself last-night running around a boxer gets in there and stays in there with his guard up not take a shot and run-out again Tyson never did Lennox never did Ali never did the fight just had to be a fix and thats what i will always think and believe and yessss I do know boxing ive seen Calzagie Lewis Hatton and Khan fight so Haye thinks he can box hee hee shame Lewis cant fight Haye he would ko him end of as for Tyson he would have crucified him within 3 round maybe less so all you who know about boxing Roy Jones Junior would have knocked Haye pity we dont have these fighters now Haye wouldnt have a chance end of.

By victoria Ingham.. Posted November 9 2009 at 12:01 AM.

I think i would`ve ran around alot.just be in Davids boots.........if ya had the gonad`s!!..nice to see British are in.

By carlos marjoram.. Posted November 8 2009 at 8:44 PM.

Well done Dave, as the great Ali once said, "dance like a Butterfly and sting like a Bee". Well you certainly stung the Russian Bear.

By Richard Czarnecki.. Posted November 8 2009 at 7:09 PM.

well done daveyboy

By joe primus .. Posted November 8 2009 at 5:44 PM.

mission acomplished easy peasy

By mr. m. forbes.. Posted November 8 2009 at 5:28 PM.

well done 'the haymaker'! get a life all you knockers! the guy done good! too many negative idiots out there!, lets celebrate a winner for a change!, big al leven.

By 'big al' stephenson.. Posted November 8 2009 at 3:58 PM.

Haye "looked a clear winner"...did the author of this piece actually watch the fight? I have heard of hit and run...but run and run? Haye has shown guts but Valuev was robbed.

By Gary.. Posted November 8 2009 at 3:39 PM.

How can people say it was boring?!
It was brilliant to watch... The tactics from Haye's camp were spot on, he only got hit once or twice during the whole fight and managed to unnerve the giant Russian on more than one occasion.
Who cares if he skipped around the ring for 12 rounds dodging hits right left and centre it worked, his coming home the Champ!

By David connor.. Posted November 8 2009 at 2:55 PM.

if england won the world cup with a hand of god goal or a dubious penalty would any of you lot be slagging the england team off? also he done what he had to do hit and not get hit thats what boxing is about the art of self defence. Many people who love and follow boxing appreciate the skill and tactics and if you want to see some stupid meat heads have a brawl go and watch UFC or some other cage rubbish!

By joe.. Posted November 8 2009 at 3:03 PM.

Having sparred and trained with David at the fitzroy lodge though his teens,i knew the focus was always there,listen up all you know nothings...the noble art of boxing is the art of hit and dont be hit....this was a masterclass..how to beat the biggest heavyweight in history....its easy to stand toe to toe and slug it out,it takes,discipline,confidence and intelligence to win this way.ok it wasn,t the prettiest or quickest or most explosive...but it was the smartest...
well done David,never doubted you and very happy i. bet a huge amount on you to win on points.Razor..))

By razor.. Posted November 8 2009 at 2:52 PM.

A great fighter, not the most entertaining but thats not what the fight was about. It had to be like a chest match, very tactical well done hayes perfect, very clever man. The guy was huge he couldnt go toe to toe. Imagine putting Danni williams or audley harrison in there, what a joke that would of been. I dont think the fight was fixed, valuev was too slow, flated footed and one diensional. David was fast, precausious and tactile. After looking back at the fight, hayes will probably think he could of knocked him out inside 6, i believe he could of..well done A-team. Not just an individual effort but a team effort. A big shout out to hayes trainers, you are the man hayes. Good luck

By damo.. Posted November 8 2009 at 2:50 PM.

congrat david u stung like a bee u fought a good fight used u brain good luck in the future well deserved.

By sue.. Posted November 8 2009 at 1:57 PM.

Magic performance not many boxers would have taken him on,you did us proud David well done.

By William McDonald.. Posted November 8 2009 at 1:48 PM.

briliant mate, complete respect

By greg.. Posted November 8 2009 at 1:37 PM.

What a pathetic fight that was Thought Haye was a fighter more like a ballerina it took Haye until the 12th round to rock the giant but he never ko`d him like he said Haye was dancing around and thats not boxing at all it was the worst boxing match ive seen and for Haye to be gloating well he only won on points and there was not much in it also booing the russian national anthem was a disgrace shame on those who did that I like to see a boxing match not a swan lake theme no-way is Haye in the Leauge of Lewis,Ali,or Tyson just a big dissapointment Haye was running in punching and running out to me he was scared should have a re-match that was not boxing at all.

By victoria Ingham.. Posted November 8 2009 at 2:38 PM.

It wasnt a great fight but who cares? Britain has got a Heavyweight Champion in David Haye and thats what matters. Im especially pleased as it was against a Russian opponent who has held that belt without really being of much technical skill. Well done David Haye.

By Spriggo.. Posted November 8 2009 at 2:40 PM.

it was hardly impressive, he ran around in a circle for 11 rounds, the last round was the only decent one, he made out this last week it was going to be a all out brawl.....glad to see him bring the belt home though

By JM.. Posted November 8 2009 at 1:13 PM.

The most boring dull fight ever.
Wouldnt ever waste money to watch these 2 fight again.
Haye will hopefully have to fight when he meets one of the brothers. Then we can judge if he can be classed as heavyweight, but on this peformance i will reserve all judgment.

By david.. Posted November 8 2009 at 1:12 PM.

superb . really insperational. who said said size matters . go on my son.

By brum dan.. Posted November 8 2009 at 1:01 PM.

what a load of old pony!!!!!! haye should never have won,he was at least 3 rounds down

By john.. Posted November 8 2009 at 1:01 PM.

lets face facts, all the great champions of any weight cemented their names in history by fighting with their heads, ali did it against foreman, leonard did it in his second fight with duran, calzaghe did it against lacey and lewis did it against a past his best tyson but if they had fought any other way they would have probably have lost. david haye fought with his head and he deserves to be world champ, those who slag him off dont know boxing at all, would you have preffered it if he stood toe to toe with valuev and been beaten you morons. boxing is a science the man with the best tactics stands the best chance of winning and haye got his tactics spot on.

By richy b.. Posted November 8 2009 at 12:57 PM.

This match was blatently a fix set up by King to earn much Moula $$$$ on the rematch. Nicolai didn't even look like he was trying, but I am still surprised that David Hayes did enough to win !

By Scott.. Posted November 8 2009 at 12:36 PM.

well done david.all that kebabs you been eating in t.r.n.c. must have helped.Good luck for the next fight.

By f.djavit.. Posted November 8 2009 at 12:32 PM.

all these people having a go at haye for moving and dancing around the ring dont know a thing about boxing, need to get their heads checked and go back to watching football.
haye did what he had to do to be efective against this massive man. end of.

By andy.. Posted November 8 2009 at 12:30 PM.

What a great fight i knew u could do it well done king haye

By wirty.. Posted November 8 2009 at 12:29 PM.

This fight was not a tear up but was interesting. Haye and his team had studied the opponent and the judges went by the rules. The rules say you score only punches that are thrown correctly and land. This fight probably broke the records for the least amount of punches landed in a fight by either boxer but Haye landed more correct punches. He was lucky he didn't fight in the US because he would not have got the decision as they believe wrongly that you cant hit and run and take a title.

By Bob.. Posted November 8 2009 at 12:20 PM.

Welldone David, your the star and i relly like the way you figth you just remind me Mike Tyson, wen you watching boxing you have to enjoy it thats wat you do, keep it on all the best for your next fithg.

By Raymond.. Posted November 8 2009 at 11:59 AM.

It shows you the appaling state of boxing that David Haye is the champion. He must be embarrased after such a punch shy, scared performance earns him the heavyweight belt.

By Scott.. Posted November 8 2009 at 11:55 AM.

well done david , to those who said rubbish,boring i would like to see how they would have taken on valuev, david had the perfect game plan , stuck to it, got the job done even with a suspected broken hand. good luck in your career david best wishes for the future . andy

By andy hales.. Posted November 8 2009 at 11:35 AM.

leeboy
the reason Haye said he was going to knock him out was so that Valuev would use tactics to counter that. As for saying that anyone can run away for 12 rounds, just proves that you've never been in a boxing ring!

By Dave L.. Posted November 8 2009 at 11:20 AM.

at last a true british champ nuff said

By dave broadbent.. Posted November 8 2009 at 11:16 AM.

Not the prettiest of fights but Haye was easily the busier and more skilful boxer and deserves the title. He showed he had the tactics, the speed and the power to deal with the unique obstacle that is Valuev and if it wasn't for his broken hand he would have knocked him out...seeing the russian giant wobble and almost go in the 12th was incredible!

By toby (slough, berks).. Posted November 8 2009 at 11:14 AM.

well done david! you boxed it exactly how it need to be boxed. im loving all the running away comments. some people just cant support someone when doing well can they!!

By robski.. Posted November 8 2009 at 11:00 AM.

OMG im so shocked that he won !! Well done David Haye, a legend in my eyes on that victory alone !

By Emma.. Posted November 8 2009 at 10:59 AM.

Well done Dave WBA Champion we knew you would do it! Now all those so called boxing critics who said you didnt have a chance in the press yesterday and throughout the build up to the fight can eat humble pie and learn that boxings not about how big you are in size but how big your heart is for the fight. Outstanding performance what more can be said.

By TIM HEATH.. Posted November 8 2009 at 10:59 AM.

I can't help thinking that tyson would have beaten both of them at the same time. I was bored watching that. Glad i watched it on the internet - saved 15 quid!

By Softlad.. Posted November 8 2009 at 10:47 AM.

there are some plonkers on here that don't know much about boxing, due to valuev's size the only way to fight him was to avoid the the long jab and pick him of with decent combo's he is the only person to have rocked the giant, and sowed that he is able to put in a solid disciplined performance. it may not have been a spectacle but he is the only person to win a fight with such a huge weight disadvantage.

By Chris.. Posted November 8 2009 at 10:47 AM.

Full credit to david he went there with a game plan and carried it out beautifully. But i was always under the impression that you had to win the belt from the champ by taking the fight to him as shown by the identakit froch direll fight earlier this year. direll landed the best punches but lost because he was running away. Dont get me wrong absolutely made up haye won and it fantastic for boxing, just not sure he should have.

By Richie lupton.. Posted November 8 2009 at 10:44 AM.

You made the Legend Ali proud Haye, floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee, wow, such intelligence...it's time to start enjoying heavyweight boxing again...Yesssssss!!!!!!!

By tarquin.. Posted November 8 2009 at 10:21 AM.

Well done champ! You fought a great tactical fight against a man that had all the physical advantages accept speed. David Haye, will allways be a hero in boxing folklore many genrations will talk about this fight and read about it. The boxing ring is a very lonely place and it takes a brave men to get in the ring for twelve rounds. Thank you David for such a gallant and inspirational performance.

By Carl.. Posted November 8 2009 at 10:04 AM.

They say that a good General 'anticipates the enemy'.... that's what makes them a cut above the rest. David Haye fought the fight of his life, to say otherwise is stupidity. This was a supremely confident performance by a man who truly, truly believed in himself. He climbed into a boxing ring with the 7'-2" tall World Heavyweight Champion who was also 7 stone heavier and he out-boxed him in every department and pretty well every round.
RESPECT!

By Burton J. Helling.. Posted November 8 2009 at 9:58 AM.

everyone going on about size difference, what about Tyson much smaller than all his opponents but wasn`t seen running scared he went in with some huge guys compared to himself, he was a foot shorter than Jose Ribalta but met him head on and beat him Haye underestimated Valuev and ran scared best he deserved was a draw but as we all know about the British doesnt matter how bad you are we always back rubbish !!

By whisper.. Posted November 8 2009 at 9:56 AM.

Davis Haye was in superb shape and tone. He won the mental game which is where all sport is won and lost.

He follows a very healthy lifestyle and part of his discipline is eating a natural diet high in fruits and veg.
His training discipline and knowledge of fight excellence puts him light years ahead of anyone around today.

We have not seen anything yet.

By Derin.. Posted November 8 2009 at 9:51 AM.

Paid £15 for the fight on sky, Well done Haye Valuev might have been charging forward all through the fight but he only caught him with a one decent punch all his punches missed Haye.
Because of the size and weight difference between the two that is the only way he could have fought him, if he did what he did on the last round to him he would have knocked him out, Valuev`s feetb went all jelly and he had only caught him with his left hand.
Not an exciting fight but Haye deserved his wins he threw more punches that landed, Valuev`s hardly landed on Haye.
Haye you made Britain proud Haye.

By sarah.. Posted November 8 2009 at 9:50 AM.

BORING BORING BORING GLAD HAYE WON BUT THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO SMASH HIM UP AND KNOCK HIM OUT AND MAKE HIM LOOK STUPID ???????????? ANYONE CAN RUN AWAY FOR 12 ROUNDS AND ONLY ROCKED THE RUSSKIE WITH HIS WRIST NOT A PUNCH WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP

By lee boy.. Posted November 8 2009 at 9:32 AM.

me and the wife listened to fight on the radio,we were both under the impression that valuev would be too strong for david haye. all hayes fights are one style that is to blast his opponent out. He boxed the perfect fight this time against valuev. HAYMAKER Promotions future looks bright. Welldone David Haye its a shame that fight wasnt shown on National television.

By David powell.. Posted November 8 2009 at 9:31 AM.

Don't know how some of you can say he ran around, he boxed intelligently. Look at the difference, 15 stone against 22 stone, 7 foot 2 against 6 foot 3 and he nearly managed to knock Valuev down in the 12 round. MASSIVE respect to David, epic performance!!!!

By john, harold wood.. Posted November 8 2009 at 9:22 AM.

whisper
Don King backs Valuev.
Why do so many of you that know nothing about boxing, keep saying that Haye "ran" for the whole fight? Boxing is about hitting and not being hit. You don't stand toe to toe with someone a foot taller and 7 stone heavier!

By Dave L.. Posted November 8 2009 at 9:14 AM.

RUNNING DOESNT COUNT...WHAT A FARCE!!

By cravena.. Posted November 8 2009 at 9:12 AM.

Haye was like a coiled spring to valuevs wooden plank. He played a tune on him well done dave

By m.creighton.. Posted November 8 2009 at 8:56 AM.

David Hayes next opponent is Usain Bolt.Haye spent all the fight running around the ring Bolt is the only person in the world who can catch him.
Sky should refund its subscribers to the fight

By harry.. Posted November 8 2009 at 8:50 AM.

england has a new world heavyweight champ in david 'the hayemaker' haye. congrats fella. to all of u that say he ran 4 the whole fight, he did what was needed to do against that giant. u cant stand toe 2 toe with him and win, quick movement in and out was needed, job well done hays. how many of u would even get in the same ring as valeuv, so dnt go knockin the hayemaker, his english so get behind him. bring on the klitschko's

By Tom cfc Andrews.. Posted November 8 2009 at 8:46 AM.

how can all these people say haye was poor he might have danced round the ring but he was landing punches and he is the only man in history to wobble this giant so to all the people who are saying negative things he deserved the win

By james.. Posted November 8 2009 at 8:43 AM.

Total waste of money Haye running scared for 12 rounds with a "suspected" broken hand lol the best he deserved was a draw, Don King promotion and an american judge giving the fight to Haye well we`ve all been there before...this decision is as bad as the Bugner/Cooper fight in the 70`s

By whisper.. Posted November 8 2009 at 8:29 AM.

what a result' especially on foreign soil,to think of all
the disadvantages you were up against you came through,pitty you didnt nail him at the begining of round 12 ,
well done The Hay Maker

By tom tipping.. Posted November 8 2009 at 8:20 AM.

Fanastic result for David.......always the better boxer technically.....some moronic comments from people on here, from people who obviously know nothing about the "noble art". Even less chance any of them have been inside the 3 ropes themselves! It puts the TRNC(Cyprus) on the map, because of David's well known allegiance.

By Iain R.Ashworth.. Posted November 8 2009 at 8:12 AM.

to all the idiots who are moaning about not seeing a tear up. boxing is about winning thefight, and the sign of a great fighter is they can change their tactics in order to beat their opponent!

we should be proud we got a brit who did the business, not moan that he was clever and outboxed a man a foot taller and 8st heavier.

brillant performance david, now clear up that division and you will be filling wembley next summer

rob

By rob.. Posted November 8 2009 at 8:08 AM.

David Haye was fantastic last night. Valuev is so BIG! but I never doubted our New British World Champion. It was a great performance. Most of all I loved the way he fought, he was in and out so quick in between the STINGS!!! It was AMAZING.

By Mehmet.. Posted November 8 2009 at 7:59 AM.

disgraceful bout an insult to all boxing fans haye run for 11 rounds valuev was a joke the result was for the americans they a want a mouthy black heavyweight to improve box office its a disgrace

By micky h.. Posted November 8 2009 at 7:47 AM.

A great night for David Haye AND a great night for British Boxing. Congrats. David. Keep throwing the punches

By Charles.. Posted November 8 2009 at 7:01 AM.

john,canvey island essex

HOW WOULD YOU HAVE FOUGHT THE FIGHT THEN
MUPPET
LIVE A LIFE ON TRACY ISLAND THUNDER BIRD
LES

By LES.. Posted November 8 2009 at 5:58 AM.

WHAT HAS DON KING GOT TO SAY NOW ABOUT THE DAVID AND GOLITH FIGHT NOW ???????????
ALL THAT TALK ABOUT SLING SHOTS AND STONES
QUOTE THE FIGHT IS OVER, THE LITTLE GUY IS A LOSER. YEAH THERE WERE SOME SLING SHOTS THROWN BY DAVID HAYE,
STONES WERE IN WEIGHT( americans lbs) LESS THAN GOLITH CARRIED.
DON KING GET STUFFED, YOU MUPPET.
BET YOU LOST BIG BUCKS STYLE
LES

By LES.. Posted November 8 2009 at 5:53 AM.

Smashing result, well done Dave!!!!! Fantastic wow Congratulations David, you deserve it.

By George Kadzirange.. Posted November 8 2009 at 4:19 AM.

Managed to watch the fight despite being on my honeymoon!!
Go on the Hayemaker!!

Get in there!!!!

By Bob Bish, Cancun.. Posted November 8 2009 at 3:59 AM.

Its better haye won the heavyweight division might become a little more exciting now cause it has been dead for years now

By dan.. Posted November 8 2009 at 3:18 AM.

Apologies to David Haye, I didnt give him the slightest chance. Amazing result..I'm delighted for him. Don't knock the man...would YOU get in a ring against THAT monster? Huge respect and very well done David Haye. Marvellous result for UK boxing. I didnt realise he was out of Fitzroy Lodge, Streatham. My old mate, Ernie Warbouys was the President in the 80's. Had many a good night with them at the Boxing,Dinner & Dances at the old Streatham Palace,fantastic result!!

By Nigel Coyne.. Posted November 8 2009 at 3:12 AM.

The Russian was a rubbish boxer who is less threatening than a switched-off lawnmower. Haye needs to challenge a decent fighter before he calls himself a proper champ. The Klitschko's would hammer him

By Keith Price.. Posted November 8 2009 at 2:19 AM.

It's pretty much impossible to look good against a fighter that much bigger and heavier. Haye did what he had to do to win so I'm glad he won.

Now Haye can go back to fight his usual style of fight. Aggressive and powerful boxing.

By Mike.. Posted November 8 2009 at 2:06 AM.

Haye was excellent. He's quick and has a brilliant hook, he'll be a fantastic champion and hopefully we will return to a heavyweight division dominated by lighter, more footworked orientated fighting instead of the boring hands up rubbish we have to put up with from the Russian dominance ruining the weight. Haye has set the rules for how to beat these men, because Valuev is like the Klitschko brothers in that they are good on their feet, with a jab and go the distance but if you run around them, ducking their punches and countering them with solid punches you can win. Congratulations David, you deserve it.

By Don King's Agent.. Posted November 8 2009 at 1:39 AM.

A real life David & Goliath who would have thought? Well done that man for his bravery amazing that he bust his hand on Valuev's nut to no affect?

By christy.. Posted November 8 2009 at 1:50 AM.

well done mate!! top notch!!

By issy.. Posted November 8 2009 at 1:29 AM.

Proper Bermondsey Mate!!!!!!

By Paul Law-Smith.. Posted November 8 2009 at 1:21 AM.

Well Done Haye!!! TOP MAN

By Rory.. Posted November 8 2009 at 1:13 AM.

well done Dave!!!! nice jump shots to the giants head!!!! nice one!!!!

By jason Lee.. Posted November 8 2009 at 12:44 AM.

Very poor contest. Haye ran until the last round and Valuev couldnt catch him. Boring.

By roddyf.. Posted November 8 2009 at 12:21 AM.

May have been a very close fight but for the good of boxing im glad Haye won, we can actually look forward to some entertainment in the heavyweight division.

By Jimbo.. Posted November 7 2009 at 11:51 PM.

Hayes is like a Yorkshire Pudding delicious soft on the inside and soft and crispy on the outside, superb with onion gravy!

Yorkshire Pudding and Roast Beef!

Hayes and Valuev what plonkers!

Let's get back to the Yorkshire Pudding!

By Haymaker.. Posted November 7 2009 at 11:41 PM.

Well done to David Haye, I had it as a draw but what do I know. Glad now we have a brit as heavyweight champ, we can look forward to some exciting future fights ahead like those ukranian brothers etc

By Rafer Austin.. Posted November 7 2009 at 11:41 PM.

welldone to david haye on winning the world championship but as a fight and spectacle it was one of the worst fights i have ever seen in boxing all haye did was run around the ring all night looking for scraps its no wonder he ducked out of fighting vladimir klitschko and his brother they would give him a boxing lesson it will be intresting to see if david haye steps up to the plate and fights those brothers and can he defend the title like true champions in history because from what i saw there will be no shortage of takers wanting to fight haye!

By john,canvey island essex.. Posted November 7 2009 at 11:34 PM.

Good work fella!

By smarticus.. Posted November 7 2009 at 11:09 PM.

YYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!

By JAYGEE.. Posted November 7 2009 at 11:06 PM.

We have to check every comment before we can allow it to be published. But don't worry, we've got a team on it 24/7 - so check back soon! Please note that we cannot publish all comments received. The editor's decision is final. Please note that your email address will not be displayed next to your comment.