The World Boxing Association (WBA) is to investigate Nikolay Valuev’s victory over Evander Holyfield on the heavyweight champion bout that was hold on  December 20. The Russian retained his heavyweight crown with a majority points decision over Evander Holyfield of American, although the result was questioned at the time.
“The Championship Committee have ordered a panel of judges to review the tape of the fight between Valuev and Holyfield,” said a WBA statement. Holyfield, 46, was bidding to become the oldest ever heavyweight champion.

He was also hoping to become the first five-time heavyweight champion, but was beaten in Zurich, Switzerland. One judged scored the bout a draw, while the others two judges had Valuev winning 116-112 and 115-114.

“I saw it the other way from the judges but I’m not disappointed by my performance,”  said Holyfield, after the bout.

Holyfield said he would consider his future in the sport after the defeat. The WBA has given no specific date for a decision on their investigation only saying it will be made in “the following weeks”.

Russia”s born Nikolai Valuev may have ended Evander Holyfield’s last chance of winning a fifth heavyweight title, as he successfully defended his WBA title in Zurich on Saturday night with a majority decision win over former world champion Evander Holyfield over 12 rounds on Saturday.

Evander Holyfield, attempting to become the oldest heavyweight to win a major belt, started the fight by moving around the ring to neutralise Valuev’s long reach advantage. “My goal is to be heavyweight champion of the world, I am not interested in fighting for the sake of fighting, I want to be a champion again. I am honoured to have had the opportunity to fight for the title. I was trying to do the things my corner asked me to do by moving him around, when I did I was able to catch him off guard. He had a pretty good defence by the way he positioned his body, he is a hard target to hit.”

The 7-foot Russian, the tallest and heaviest champion ever, struggled to close down Holyfield early but began asserting his jab as Holyfield tired. One judged scored the bout a draw, while the others had Valuev winning 116-112 and 115-114. “Of course I am disappointed. I thought I had done enough to get the win. Now, I have to go home and think about my future.” said Holyfield. Holyfield (42-10-2) had not fought since losing a one-sided decision to then-WBO champion Sultan Ibragimov over a year ago, and was much criticised for this latest comeback attempt. Some critics suggested he was putting his health at risk by fighting at such an advanced age.

Nikolai Valuev vs Evander Holyfield

Still, the “Real Deal” appeared in great shape for the fight and was never seriously hurt by Valuev (51-1), who has avoided the top heavyweights and did little to improve his standing in the division. He was vulnerable to Holyfield’s right hooks, many of which landed, even if the Russian also was never stunned. “He made me work very hard for the win,” said Valuev, the overwhelming favorite and underwhelming winner. “Holyfield was unbelievable with his speed. The fight was fought at a great tempo for the whole 12 rounds,” he added.

Later rounds were largely uneventful, with the Atlanta native dancing and looking for the rare opportunity to attack in combinations. The Russian, who carried a weight advantage of almost 100 pounds, planted himself in the centre of the ring and rarely unleashed power punches. “His hands are not as slow as everyone thinks they are,” said Holyfield.

For Valuev, it was the biggest win on a weak resume. He has so far refused to fight either of the Klitschko brothers, who hold the other major belts and are considered the top two heavyweights in the world.

Holyfield has refused to say if he would retire should he lose or draw against Valuev. Struggling with financial problems, Holyfield may try to use the better-than-expected result to score a big payday against another champion or Riddick Bowe, who has recently made a similarly worrisome comeback. “I thought I had done enough, now I will just have to go home and think about my future,” said Holyfield.

Ukraine’s Wladimir Klitschko successfully defended his WBO, IBF and IBO world heavyweight titles in Mannheim, Germany with a technical knockout of Hasim Rahman in round seven on Saturday. Klitschko won every round and first had Rahman on the deck in the sixth. The referee stopped the fight after Klitschko, 32, landed a series of punches to Rahman’s head and the American retreated to the ropes, barely able to stand. The Ukrainian had already knocked him down in round six.

“I thought I could land some punches earlier but it wasn’t worth it because Hasim Rahman knew he was up against the best and he was really focused, you could see that,” Klitschko, who has been dubbed ‘Dr. Steelhammer. He really hung in there and it wasn’t easy.” Klitschko said.

Rahman was unable to get past Klitschko’s left jab to land the kind of big punch that saw him beat world champion Lennox Lewis in 2001, when he knocked out the Briton with a right hook to record one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. Klitschko, younger brother of WBC champion Vitali, improved his record to 52 wins and three defeats while Rahman, who slipped to 45 wins, seven defeats and two draws.

International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight champion, Wladimir Klitschko with amazing 45 knockouts from 54 fights, has said he will not underrate former IBF champion, Hasim Rahman as both return to the ring this weekend in a winner takes all championship. Wladimir, younger brother of reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) champion,Vitali Klitschko is wary of the power his American opponent holds in that big right hand.

“I am not going to underestimate him in any way. I am going to do my job and I will try to do it quickly, This is his last chance to be a world champion again, so I expect a real challenge. If he comes such a long way to fight the best man, he wants to win naturally,”  Klitschko said.

Meanwhile, 36-year-old Rahman has arrived in Germany in place of injured Russian Alexander Povetkin, to take on the man widely regarded as the world’s top heavyweight. Rahman had recorded an upset in knocking out Lennox Lewis in Round Five, in South Africa to claim the IBF, World Boxing Council (WBC) and International Boxing Organisation (IBO) titles back in 2001, before he lost the same way in the fourth round in the rematch. “I know he is extremely strong and quick. I have to be ready to take punishment and to dish it out. I am very fit and well prepared,” Rahman said ahead of Saturday’s championship showdown with Klitschko. “I am looking forward to putting on a good performance. It will be a great fight.”