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Heavyweight champ Haye defeats Ruiz

David Haye celebrates defending his WBA Heavyweight title after impressively stopping American challenger John Ruiz.
David Haye celebrates defending his WBA Heavyweight title after impressively stopping American challenger John Ruiz.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • David Haye defeats John Ruiz for the WBA heavyweight championship on Saturday
  • Haye fought at heavyweight for only the third time in his career
  • Ruiz has twice won a heavyweight title
RELATED TOPICS
  • Boxing
  • John Ruiz
  • David Haye
  • Nikolai Valuev

(CNN) -- David Haye has successfully defended his WBA world heavyweight title after defeating John Ruiz to make a successful first defense of his WBA world heavyweight title in Manchester, England.

The Press Association reports that the Londoner overwhelmed the American from start until the fight was stopped in the ninth round before a 20,000 sell-out crowd.

Ruiz, 38, is a two-time heavyweight world champion, while Haye, 29, had only fought at heavyweight three times since stepping up from cruiserweight.

At the pre-fight press conference Haye told reporters: "I'm going to do something dramatic and people will be shocked. I expect a tough, grueling fight. John Ruiz is a tough guy and I know that.

"I don't believe there's anyone in the world that can take the punishment I'm willing to dish out for 12 rounds. They might be able to take three or four rounds but sooner or later it's going to sicken them."

Ruiz, who lives in Las Vegas, failed to join an elite pool of boxers who have regained the heavyweight title for a third time.

Only Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis have ever claimed that feat in the history of the sport.