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Haye crowned WBA heavyweight champion
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David Haye has beaten Nikolai Valuev by majority decision to win the WBA heavyweight title in Nuremberg.
Haye, who becomes the first British heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis retired in 2003, won by 114-114 116-112 116-112 despite giving away seven stone to his opponent.
Haye was well disciplined throughout and started off steadily on the back foot, connecting with a few jabs to Valuev's body in the opening round.
Valuev was constantly hunting Haye around the ring but was struggling to catch the challenger and was caught with a straight right to the head in the second, before a Haye left uppercut hit home in the third.
The Russian champion plodded forward relentlessly, throwing piston-like jabs, while Haye darted in and out with swift counters, but it was Valuev who started to take control of some lacklustre middle rounds.
Haye's stamina was holding up and he was rarely in trouble, charging back in the eighth when unleashing some eye-catching combinations.
A strong right hand landed on Valuev's colossal skull in the ninth, but it didn't seem to affect the Russian who was chasing Haye and attempting to press the action, but his failure to land meaningful punches was frustrating the champion.
After a tense 11th round, the fight exploded into life in the last as a left hook from Haye rocked Valuev, but Haye failed to finish off the wobbling champion before the Brit was awarded a points victory.
Haye told Sky Box Office: "It means everything to me. From when I was a baby I said I would be the heavyweight champion of the world.
"It's a dream come true. I've fought the biggest heavyweight champion and caught him with big shots.
"I'm gonna party baby, party all night long."
Haye now boasts a record of 23 wins (21KOs) and one defeat, while the 7ft Valuev has now suffered two defeats in his 53 fights.
Thanks for following our coverage with Orange. Scroll down to see how the fight unfolded on a memorable night in British boxing.
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HAYE IS THE CHAMPION! The Brit has done it, in Germany of all places! Bloody brilliant. What a result. 114-114, 116-112, 116-112 were the scores. Magnificent triumph.
Now we have to wait. Has Haye done enough? I'm not sure. Valuev didn't impress me at all but was just so awkward for Haye. The British fans are chanting Haye's name.
Round 12
Haye almost takes down the giant! He lands a left hook to the head. Valuev is rocked. His legs have gone to jelly. He has a minute to survive. Haye keeps up the pressure but can't knock down the Russian. Haye is celebrating as the bell sounds. He thinks he's won it. A brilliant last round but I think Valuev has edged this one. Over to the judges.
Round 11
A bit messy in the middle with neither man showing much aggression. There hasn't been a single clinch though which makes a welcome change. Not one decent shot in those three minutes. I fear that Haye has been too negative but his corner think he's ahead.
Round 10
Valuev almost nails Haye with a huge right in the corner but Haye again bursts away and replies with a solid jab to the body. Haye almost gets through with a right but Valuev keeps his gloves up and blocks. Valuev starts to apply some more pressure and probably pinched that one.
Round nine
Another slow round with few shots landing. A completely different Haye to what we are used to. But then he is facing a man mountain. His stamina is holding up which is good to see. Cracking right hand towards the end of the round from Haye to the head of Valuev. Could have been his best punch of the fight. Valuev again can't catch the challenger. I now have Valuev 5-4 up. But how are the judges scoring it? Haye is certainly right back in this contest.
Round eight
Still hit-and-run tactics from Haye. The Brit unleashes a sharp jab but Valuev stands strong. Valuev continues to plod forward but fails to land any blows. Dare I say it but this is actually a bit dull. The bookmakers think it's going Valuev's way who is now 4/11, with Haye 2/1. Haye showboats a little at the end as he looks to wind one up. Haye's round for me. Valuev didn't really do anything except move.
Round seven
Haye needs to impress the judges more. He's backing off and then only landing a couple of punches in the round which isn't enough. However, his speed hasn't slowed. Can he find that one big bomb? He goes for it and connects with Valuev's head in the closing seconds but the 7ft giant once again shakes it off. I'm not sure if it's windy in the arena but the camera is shaking all over the place! Another Valuev round in my book.
Round six
Valuev is starting to find his rhythm. It can be argued that Haye isn't doing enough as the challenger. Haye works the body with some jabs to the stomach. Valuev again pushes Haye to the corner and throws a wild right but Haye dodges. Still Valuev doing the pressing and is looking the more aggressive. Haye looks to be breathing a little heavily, while Valuev is fighting at his own pace. The pair trade blows at the end of the round and Haye even gets one in after the bell. 4-2 Valuev on my card.
Round five
A quiet round. Haye is still on the move, looking to escape Valuev who is trying to pin his opponent to the corners. Haye lands a right-left to the head but he's not taking too many risks. It's hard to say in Germany whether Haye's tactics are impressing the judges in Valuev's back yard. I probably have it 3-2 Valuev.
Round four
Haye almost gets trapped in the corner but slips away like an eel. Valuev looks like he's beginning to get frustrated. Not much offense from Haye but he is being very disciplined. Haye attempts a a few big shots at the end of the round but fails to break through Valuev's shield. More work from the Russian and so I have it all square.
Round three
The third round follows a similar pattern to the first two. Valuev is only throwing single punches and is struggling to catch Haye. Cat v mouse action. Haye lands a left uppercut and again Valuev shakes his head but that was an impressive shot. Valuev is on the front-foot but isn't finding the target. Haye with another late right to the head and on my card he is now a round up. But then again we are in Germany.
Round two
A mobile Haye continues to bide his time. Not too many punches being thrown by either fighter. Smart tactics by Haye though who will build in confidence as the fight goes on. Haye catches Valuev with a left but it didn't seem to affect the Russian. Valuev lands a few jabs to the chest but nothing to the head. Haye then connects with a big right to the side of Valuev's face. The champion shakes his head before hitting Haye in the gut. Another close one. Could have been won by Haye.
Round one
The size difference is scary. Haye takes a patient approach and is ducking and weaving around the ring. Valuev works his left jab and is controlling the centre. Haye unleashes his first right hand but misses. He might need a step ladder to connect. Haye lands a body shot which the British fans applaud. A tight round, Valuev probably edged it.
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10.02pm: The bell sounds. Please refresh for round-by-round updates. Can Haye do do it?
10pm. Time for the national anthems, starting with 'God Save the Queen'. To be fair, both are well respected by the fans. A few Millwall flags fly high in the arena. The sweat is already dripping from Valuev's head. Now Buffer introduces the fighters. The judges are from Italy, Spain and USA. The referee is from Puerto Rica. LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!
9.54pm: Haye poses on the apron and is looking like a cucumber. Valuev's ring entrance starts off with a rock band playing what sounds like some Eurovision trash! Mind games as Haye continues to wait for the giant Russian. After about four minutes, Valuev appears alone, wearing a cap that is far too small for his head.
9.50pm: Here we got then. Plenty of tension. Flown in from America, Michael Buffer pulls out his microphone. Out struts the 'Hayemaker', wearing a red t-shirt with a poppy attached to the neck. Boos ring around the Nuremberg arena for the challenger. I'm sure plenty of non-British fans will be hoping he gets his mouth shut.
9.36pm: Valuev is enjoying a spot of skipping in his locker room. I think Haye could be asleep on that chair. The big fight is on the way next apparently... don't go anywhere!
9.28pm: Sky are showing a replay of the earlier Ruiz fight. Not that anybody cares (I'm sure most of you are watching X Factor), but I'm going for a Haye victory by KO/TKO. Then again, my heart could be ruling my head.
9.19pm: Haye's trainer Adam Booth is asked his prediction for the fight. His reply: "David Haye will become the new heavyweight champion." Hardly surprising. John Ruiz, who is set to meet the winner, claimed a seventh round TKO victory over Adnan Serin earlier tonight on the undercard.
9.06pm: Haye has just been interviewed backstage and is looking and sounding confident. He even mentions how he's brought a comfy chair over from his hotel so he can relax in the locker room. That's the £1000 deposit gone. The fight is scheduled to start 'shortly after 9.30pm' although I'd be surprised to hear the bell ring before 10pm.
9pm: Are you ready? Motormouth David Haye has called Nikolai Valuev a "circus show freak", questioned his personal hygiene and ridiculed his appearance. But now his fists must do the talking. Haye is bidding to become the first British heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis retired six years ago - all that stands in his way is a 7ft Russian giant who weighs almost 100lb heavier than his opponent. Call it David v Goliath. Call it whatever you like. But November 7 could be a historic night in the career of Haye and British boxing. Bring it on!
