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It was a historic night in the Arena Nürnberger Versicherung in Nuremberg, Germany Saturday night, as London’s David “Hayemaker” Haye became the first British-born Heavyweight World Champion since Lennox Lewis and joined Evander Holyfield as the only former Cruiserweight World Champions to own a heavyweight title.
Haye defeated seven-foot giant Nikolai Valuev via majority decision to claim the WBA Heavyweight World Title becoming Golden Boy Promotions’ newest Heavyweight World Champion.
“We’re very proud of David and what he accomplished Saturday night,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “The odds were stacked against him, but he kept his focus, stuck to his game plan and put that title belt around his waist. This is a new era for the heavyweight division and I can’t wait to see what mountains David will climb next.”
“David looked tremendous during his 12-round battle with Valuev,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “I’m really impressed with his skills inside of the ring and his charisma outside of the ring. We are going to do everything we can to get David the big fights so he can unify the heavyweight division and put it back on the boxing map.”
The charismatic Haye (23-1, 21 KO’s) has been one of the UK’s most popular boxing figures thanks to his exciting style, punching power, charisma and quick wit. He won the Cruiserweight World Title in just his 21st professional fight when he knocked out Jean-Marc Mormeck in seven rounds in 2007, and then quickly unified three of the cruiserweight titles in his next fight by stopping Enzo Maccarinelli in two rounds.
He began his assault on the heavyweight division in 2008 and on Saturday night, the six-foot three inch, 218-pound Haye gave up nearly a foot in height and 98 pounds in weight to Russia’s Valuev, but with a disciplined and effective fight plan, the 29-year-old earned the WBA Heavyweight World Title by scores of 116-112, 116-112 and 114-114.
The Golden Boy Promotions team congratulates David Haye, it’s newest Heavyweight World Champion and will announce future plans for Haye shortly.
