Join Will Cooling at 4pm ET for live coverage of the WBA Heavyweight Title fight which sees champion David Haye face mandatory challenger John Ruiz at the Manchester Evening News Arena. This will be Haye’s first defense of the title and the first world heavyweight title fight to be held on British soil since 2000.
There will also be live coverage of the undercard, which sees two Commonwealth Title fights as Charles Adamu defends his Super-Middleweight Title against George Groves and Ajose Olusegan defends his Light-Welterweight Title against Colin Lynes.
Commonwealth Super-Middleweight Title
Charles Adamu (11st 11Ibs) vs George Groves (11st 13Ibs 4oz)
Round One
Weight announcements are in British measurements, sorry Americans. This fight sees Haye stablemate and former amateur star George Groves take a step up in competition by challenging dangerous Ghanian Charles Adamu. Good opening round for George Groves as he takes control towards end securing a knockdown with a glancing blow to the top of Adamu’s help. That shook Adamu, with Groves taking the opportunity to push Adamu into the corner with some heavy power combinations to the body. Bell saves the champion, who seemed to be teetering on the brink. 10-8 in favour of Groves.
Round Two
A bad round for Adamu, who is obviously struggling to get back into the fight after the end of the last round. Groves is able to pick his punches and dictate the pace of the match. Adamu tries to tie up and hold Groves to slow down the advance of the challenger, which eventually leads to the surreal sight of the champion literally wrestling his opponent down to the floor. It doesn’t unsettle Groves who again wins the round. 20-17 to Groves.
Round Three
Groves is moving around very nicely with his speed and footwork helping him avoid the increasingly desperate attempts of the Champion to hold and grapple his way back into the fight. Groves is really able to pick his punches with impunity, and Adamu’s face is starting to show the signs of what is becoming a very one sided fight. 30-26 to Groves.
Round Four
The best round so far for Groves as he steps it up a gear and secures two knockdowns with glancing right hands. Adamu is unlucky with the first as its flash knockdown that could have easily been seen as a slip but there was no doubt about the second. The champion is clinging on with Groves opening up and swinging the bigger punches as he hunts for the finishing blow. A more experienced boxer would have finished Adamu who is outclassed and outpowered but Groves really is impressing tonight. 40-33
Round Five
Patient round from Groves as he seeks the opening to finish the fight and win his first title. While Adamu doesn’t received the punishment he had in previous rounds he’s still outgunned by the dominant Groves, forced to alternate between hanging on for dear life and launching hopeful big punches that lack accuracy. Another round for Groves, 50-42
Round Six
The fight is ended by the referee at 2:51 in what you have to call an early but kind stoppage. As throughout the rest of the fight, Groves was in complete control and successfully neutralising the champion with his speed and a power right hand. Towards the end, Groves had Adamu pushed up against the ropes and landed a couple of shots which seemed to buckle the champion’s legs. While the Ghanaian still had something to offer in the fight he was obviously struggling and after three knockdowns the referee probably did him a favour by stopping the fight going to a seventh round.
Commonwealth Light-Welterweight Title
Ajose Olusegan (9st 12Ibs 8oz) vs Colin Lynes (9st 12Ibs 8oz)
Interesting fight, as veteran former European and British Champion Colin Lynes faces the unbeaten champion Nigerian Ajose Olusegan. The challenger is fighting to revitalise a career that may be ended by an overwhelming defeat while the champion is looking to make a fifth successful defence of his belt. For what its worth, Olusegan is ranked Number 2 by the WBC and is on the edges of the world title picture.
(Btw I am I the only one who thinks that Sky is taking the mick by having adverts during their boxing pay per views? I mean c’mon surely if we’re paid for it surely we get the right to have no adverts during the show).
Round One
Cagey opening round, with Olusegan throwing combinations to the power at will but fairly to land with several left hands. Lynes is struggling to get going with the champion not really in range for him to work the jab. He’s also circling into the southpaw Olusegan’s left hand, which is something that will end very badly if he continues to do. 10-9 to Olusegan.
Round Two
More of the same, as Olusegan alternates between working the body and trying for the big knock out shot. While Lynes hasn’t been in any real danger during the first two rounds, he is certainly looking far from comfortable. Struggling to throw any combinations, Lynes is reduce to throwing a couple of left hooks. Olusegan is getting impatient towards the end of the round, throwing some wild punches that fail to connect. 20-18 to Olusegan.
Round Three
Much better round for Lynes as Olusegan slows down and stops pressing the action as he had done so successfully in the first two. The extra time and space this gifted the challenger allowed Lynes to start working the jab and so keeping the champion at bay. Not much action but what there was belonged to Lynes. 29-28 to Olusegan.
Round Four
Olusegan starts the fight aggressively but soon seems to settle at a pace that is still less dangerous than what set in the first two rounds. Importantly he’s again got Lynes on the back foot, and with the challenger not doing enough work on the defensive its the champion’s round. 39-37 to Olusegan.
Round Five
In the first four rounds, Olusegan landed only three more punches than Lynes 26. The match has stalled since Olusegan slowed down in the third round, with Lynes refusing to push the pace or really commit to his punches. While its understandable that Lynes would want to box at a distance he just isn’t doing enough work to outpoint the champion who may be fighting diffidently but is on the front foot. 49-46 to Olusegan.
Round Six
This is really isn’t a good match, with their being little action and the action there is being fleeting and of little consequence. For a fighter who is ranked Number 2 by the WBC and talks about deserving a world title shot, Olusegan really isn’t impressing. He’s obviously physically gifted but he doesn’t seem to have the killer instict to push the pace and overwhelm an obviously inferior opponent. The last minute sees Olusegan pin Lynes back into the corner but while he bullies the Brit, he fails to punish him. 59-55 to Olusegan
Round 7
More of the same unfortunately, with Olusegan in control but simply refusing to take the risks necessary to punish Lynes and finish this fight in an impressive manner. Crowd gets restless towards the end and nobody could blame them.
Round 8
A very strange and worrying end to the fight as after taking a few hard shots to the body Lynes started dry-heaving and after being chased down to his corner he voluntarily goes down to one knee and takes the ten count as his corner chucks in the towell. A bad fight ends on sour note at 1.23.
A disturbing interview with Lynes who was obviously trying to stop himself throwing up even after the end of the fight. He explains that he had been physically exhausted midway through the fight and had started wretching when on the stool in between rounds. He says that believes it to be related to the weight cut with his body not having the strength/fluid to cope with any punishment at light-welterweight. Admits that this is the second time that this has happened and says that he wants to continue but admits that to do so he’ll have to move up in weight. Here’s hoping he gets to the bottom of what’s causing the problem and is able to address it.
From the untelevised undercard, Jamie Moore lost his debut at Middleweight to Sergey Khomitsky after retiring at the start of the seventh round.
WBA Heavyweight Title Fight
David Haye (222 Ibs) vs John Ruiz (231 Ibs)
Well the wait is almost over. After five months of celebrity appearances (the last of which was today when he made a walk-on appearance at the Manchester United-Chelsea game), David Haye is on the brink of being a real household name in Britain and there’s the potential to become a real player on the world scene. But all the fame and all the money is based on success. Haye knows that his current high profile is based on being the world champion and that if he is to fulfil his dream of unification bouts with the Klitschko brothers then he must get past John Ruiz. The Quiet Man is gunning to join Ali and Holyfield by becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion.
The weigh-ins dispelled the doubts about Haye’s appearance, with his muscular appearance putting many British fight fans’ minds at ease. Even though the former undisputed crusierweight champion weighed in at a career heaviest 222Ibs he will still be giving up 7Ibs to the challenger.
After yesterday’s friendly response at the weigh-ins, the crowd gives Ruiz a decidedly mixed reaction. Ruiz is used to fighting in the UK, having been a former charge of British promoter Frank Maloney and at one time a sparring partner of Lennox Lewis. Despitekeeping his shirt on during the weigh-in, Ruiz is looking in great shape although without the muscle definition of Haye. And sadly he is not wearing an ‘Uncle Sam’ hat.
A huge reaction for David Haye, as the Manchester Evening News Arena welcomes only the seventh Briton to hold a World Heavyweight Title. A prolonged entrance keeps Ruiz weighting as Haye plays the last of his subtle mind games against Ruiz. Looking at Haye casually strolling down to the ring, I don’t know whether to be worried by complacency or impressed by calmness. I guess we’ll find out very soon.
Nothing really between the two in terms of the tale of the tape. Ruiz outweighs Haye by seven pounds with Haye having a one inch height advantage, both have the same reach. Haye is the younger man by eight years, so the question will be whether that gives Haye an advantage when it comes to conditioning and stamina.
Round One
Ruiz starts strongly, taking charge of the centre of the ring and almost landing some hard shots square on the champion’s chin but Haye is able to duck out of trouble. Haye then lands a big right hand on while moving backwards and Ruiz goes down like he’s shot. Ruiz gets up but he’s legs are leaden and he looks scrambled. Haye then gets a second knockdown, although it was the result of an illegal blow to the back of the head. Ruiz is in survival mode as Haye tries to finish the fight. Ruiz shows signs of coming back into it as the round ends and Haye would do well to be cautious about his power but what a good first round from Haye. 10-7 to Haye.
Round Two
Never let it be said that John Ruiz lacks heart. After taking a devastating right hand and illegal blow to the back of the head in the first round, many boxers would call it a night. But Ruiz is not most boxers, and successfully claws his way back into the fight. While Haye is landing the cleaner shots its obvious the champion respects (if not slightly fears) the power of the bigger man, making sure to avoid being drawn into a slugfest with Ruiz. A closer round, but it belongs to Haye 20-16.
Round Three
Ruiz is taken a lot of punishment from Haye, with the challenger’s footwork and headwork being leaden. Haye gets a number of clean shots in during the round, one of them being a lovely jab square on Ruiz’s nose that opens up a cut. While Ruiz gets a few eye-catching punches in at the end of the round its not enough to save the round. Haye is leading 30-25.
Round Four
Better round from Ruiz as he’s able to land some good punches in the second half of the round as Haye seems to start to tire. To begin with Haye dominates with his jab but Ruiz outworks with hard shots to the body and several attempts to tie up and hold the champion. Its close but Ruiz has done enough to take the round. Its 39-35 to Haye.
In the first four rounds Haye has landed 54 punches to Ruiz’s 38 punches.
Round Five
Much better round from Haye, as he bounches back with some hard shots to the body and the head. Ruiz seems to be taking the punishment that Haye is dishing out, still moving forward and throwing hard power shots to the body and head. Haye again seems to tire towards the end of the round, allowing Ruiz to work his jab but Haye manages to land a big right-hand to secure a third knockdown. Ruiz claims that it was the result of an illegal blow and while its true that Haye lands a punch to the back of the head, its the first (legal) right hand that secured the knockdown. 49-43 to Haye.
Round Six
More impressive work from David Haye as he uses his speed to break through Ruiz’s increasingly rusty defences. Early on he traps Ruiz in the corner and unloads a series of shots to secure another knockdown. Ruiz claims another punch to the back of the head, although its clear that he was turning the back of his head towards Haye’s punches. Ruiz is being outclassed by a faster and more aggressive fighter. 59-52.
Haye has now landed 90 punches to Ruiz’s 54. Haye has landed 40% of his punches.
Round Seven
The word from Sky is that Ruiz’s camp has told him that he has one more round before they pull him out. Haye fights a smart round, staying at distance and focusing on picking apart Ruiz with powerful jabs. Towards the end Ruiz tries to tie Haye up and hold him down but the champion is always able to escape without taking too much damage. 69-61 to Haye.
Round Eight
Its difficult to know who to be more impressed by – Haye has been absolutely dominant and has controlled the fight with a wonderful mixture of power and speed BUT good lord can Ruiz take a punch. Again Haye lands some hard right-hands and a couple of combinations that would floor most heavyweights but it seemingly barely staggers the challenger. However, while he may not be staggered he is slowing down and Haye is able to pick his punches at will. Another round that clearly belongs to Haye 79-70
Round Nine
Haye is seemingly slowing down, preserving his energy in case he has to see out the fight. He’s fighting a smart fight, working Ruiz over with stinging jabs that are landing square. The fight opens up with Haye landing some power combinations, and while Ruiz is not in danger of being stopped he is just standing there and taking these shots unanswered. Seeing that their fighter had nothing left in the tank except an admirable ability to take punishment, the corner takes the sensible decision at 2.01 to throw in towel.
Apparently David Haye had a couple of points deducted for the illegal blows to the back of the head – quite why they were counting Ruiz if the referee recognised the knockdowns being as a result of illegal blows I really don’t know.
In his post-fight interview, Haye unsurprisingly issues a challenge to the Klitschko’s saying that their past few opponents were not only inferior but disgraced boxing by coming in out of shape. Haye says that he’s the most exciting fighter in the division and after that performance few would argue.
Both Haye and his trainer Adam Booth, reveal that the training camp was troubled with Haye being cut in sparring five weeks out and so not being abled to spar in the run-up to the fight. Booth says that as a result his defence wasn’t as tight as they would have liked.
A really impressive performance from David Haye who really bossed that fight, dictating where it took place through superior footwork and really punishing Ruiz with big right-hands and stinging jabs. He’s the real deal folks.
