BERLIN (AP) - Russian Nikolay Valuev won a disputed majority decision against John Ruiz to claim the WBA heavyweight title Saturday night, becoming the tallest and heaviest champion of all time.
The crowd of 10,000 derided the decision that had the 2.13 metre (seven-foot) Valuev winning 116-113 and 116-114 on the cards of two judges, and another scoring it 114-114.
''Boxing is the only sport where you can get robbed without a gun. My promoter, Don King, should do his job and get me a rematch,'' Ruiz said, then walked out of the post-match press conference.
Both sides admitted the fight was close after Valuev won the middle rounds. He became the first Russian heavyweight champion.
''I'm always fighting a smaller man, and the crowd always supports the smaller man,'' Valuev said of the crowd's jeers. ''But I was perfectly sure at the end I had won.''
Valuev, whom some say claim is actually 2.17 (seven-two), weighs 147 kilos (323 pounds), 85 pounds heavier than Ruiz. He was at least 25 centimetres (10 inches) taller.
The American appeared to have control of the bout, scoring with jabs and tying up Valuev to thwart his longer reach.
But Valuev began to connect with combinations in the seventh round, adding to a left jab that landed from the opening round. He entertained the crowd with some footwork in the ninth, and wobbled Ruiz with 90 seconds left in the final round with a straight left to the chin.
The American clinched his way to the end.
Ruiz's record fell to 42-6 with one draw while Valuev remained unbeaten at 43-0 with one no-decision.
The fight was inartful with Valuev appearing awkward and Ruiz clinching throughout, much like in 11 previous title fights.
''We knew beforehand you can't have a beautiful fight against John Ruiz,'' Valuev trainer Uli Wegner said. ''But my fighter jabbed him the whole fight and later he used his physical advantage. It was close, but he deserved the verdict.''
The post-match press conference was testy with Ruiz manager Norman Stone accusing the German organizers of manipulating the fight, although they were not responsible for the selection of judges from New Zealand, Australia and Mexico.
Stone had to be restrained in the ring when the decision was announced, and German promoter Wilfried Sauerland accused him of inciting the crowd, leading to the jeers.
The loss was the latest setback for Ruiz, who also lost to James Toney in April, but was given back the title when Toney was stripped of the belt for testing positive for steroids.
The biggest cheer of the evening came for Muhammad Ali, who came to watch his daughter Laila Ali stop Sweden's Asa Sandell in the fifth round in a non-title women's bout.
Ruiz's camp said they will petition the WBA for a rematch, after having done once successfully previously for an Evander Holyfield bout.
Valuev, 32, is a former basketball player and discus thrower who was fighting for small purses in Russia until he met Sauerland two years ago.
''I've waited 12 years for this. This is the best New Year's gift I could have,'' he said. ''I'm not thinking about being the first Russian champion, I'm thinking of improving, so I can keep the title two or three fights.''