Scorecard for Nikolai Valuev Vs. David Haye

This was a feeling out round. Valuev throws and hits nothing but air. Haye does a little body work but is unwilling to exchange. Mostly one punch hits.

Round 2: 10-9 Haye

Round 2 was mostly more of the same. Haye did less body work in this round, but does land a couple of good counter shots. Haye lands a nice overhand left, which Valuev was unaffected by. Valuev continues to miss with the jab, except for one occasion late in the round where he lands one that seem to throw Haye off for a moment. This round was dangerously close to being called a draw on my scorecard, if it wasn't for the last minute of Haye. Haye is trying to steal rounds with late rallies.

Round 3: 10-9 Haye

Just like the last round Haye takes the first minute and a half off. He comes alive late in the round and lands a few good shots most notably two good overhand rights, though not in succession. Valuev continues to miss with his shots, and I thought early in the round I was going to have to give it to him on ring generalship alone. Valuev needs to step it up because Haye is stealing rounds late, with a couple of punches and its putting him in a big hole on my scorecard.

Round 4: 10-9 Valuev

Valuev was able to catch Haye in the corner, nothing significant lands, but it was at least an improvement from what has been happening. Haye once again takes the first half of the round off. Valuev lands some shots this round and even though Haye tried to steal it in the end he wasn't able to. Valuev adopted a better defensive posture for when Haye is about to load up with an overhand shot and it stopped Haye from trying it as much as he would have and more importantly stopped him from landing it.

Round 5: 10-9 Valuev

Haye took off more than just his normal minute and a half in this round. Valuev doubling of the jab is giving Haye all kinds of trouble. It's doesn't land effectively, but its stopping Haye from being productive. Haye landed a good overhand right which was almost enough to win the round, but Valuev comes back and lands a clean hook off of a flurry that gives him the round. Valuev is letting his hands go and it's beginning to pay dividends. The best time to hit Haye is while he is on the ropes because he is not looking to counter punch. It's a perfect time for the slower Valuev to just let his hands go without worrying about getting hit with something. He has a lot of time to employ this strategy, as Haye consistent movement often has his back against the ropes.

Round 6: 10-9 Valuev

This has turned out to be the most action packed round of the fight. I love the use of the double jab by Valuev. Haye took off less time in this round, about a minute, and he threw a couple of one two's. They weren't very clean and they definitely weren't effective. Valuev is really starting to put his punches together, even though they aren't landing with any consistency. Tough round to call but I will give it to Valuev, because he is the one bringing the fight and both Haye and Valuev landed about the same shots.

Round 7: Haye 10-9

Haye is back to taking the first half of the round off. Just a little after the halfway mark, Haye lands a nice overhand left. A good overhand right followed later from Haye. Valuev gets Haye in the corner, late in the round, and misses a couple of shots which Haye takes advantage of by landed a few of his own. This round was all about the effective counterpunching of David Haye. Haye was more active in this round.

Round 8: 9-9 Draw

This is a tough round to score. Haye is looking more hittable, not because he is tired, because he is trying to find some openings. Valuev took advantage of that and lands a few shots, but Haye lands a few of his own. Neither fighter really stood out so I'll call it a draw. Both fighters had their moments and are picking up the pace. They can sense the fight is still out there for the taking.

Round 9: 10-9 Valuev

This round features the first hold of the night. That normally would signify a great fight, but tonight is definitely the exception. The hold comes after Valuev lands a left and a right that landed on the back of Haye's head. Valuev initiated the clench, which was a good idea, because it kept Haye from throwing anything back. Haye landed a few shots and one nice flurry but it wasn't enough to take the round away from Valuev. Valuev was more consistent throughout the round and should be credited as such.

Round 10: 9-9 Draw

Neither fighter did enough to take this round. Haye landed the cleaner shots, but Valuev landed a few of his own plus he is definitely the one who is trying to bring the fight.

Round 11: 10-9 Haye

The ropes are Valuev best friend and Haye's worst enemy. Valuev is most effective when Haye is against the ropes. Valuev lands a left while Hayes is slithering on the ropes. Haye lands the cleaner shots, and was a little busier this round. Valuev had his moments, but Haye did just enough to gain the edge this round.

Round 12: Haye 10-9

Somehow the crowd was able to muster the enthusiasm to cheer for the final round. For a fight with so little action, I have no idea why they didn't start raining down the chorus of boos. Haye lands a shot that has Valuev on rubbery legs, but Valuev was in no danger of going down. Still it served as the most defining moment of the fight.

Final Score: 116-114 David Haye