Haye shocks Valuev in WBA heavyweight title bout

NUREMBERG, Germany (Reuters) - Briton David Haye clinched the WBA world heavyweight title with a points win over holder Nikolai Valuev of Russia on Saturday.

Haye, who became Britain's first heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis retired six years ago, scored 116-112 points on the scorecards of two judges, the third giving it a 114-114 tie in the bout dubbed "David versus Goliath".

"This means everything to me. Since I was a little baby I wanted to be heavyweight champion of the world," Haye said in a ringside interview. "It's amazing, I dreamt of this now its reality, it's real... he wasn't hitting me so as long as you are not getting hit you are okay.

"I hit his head early in the fight but it was the hardest thing I've ever hit, it was like hitting a brick wall... I'm pretty sure I've broken my hand. I made him look like an amateur. People doubted my skills... but I did enough to win," Haye said.

Valuev, the tallest and heaviest world champion of all time who has yet to be floored in his 16-year professional career having lost only one bout, struggled throughout the 12-round bout against a speedier opponent who is also lighter by 44 kilos.

Former world cruiserweight champion Haye, who took a 22-1 record into the bout with the 'Beast from the East', is also almost a foot shorter than his seven foot (2.13 metres) opponent but he made up for it in speed and accuracy.

DAMAGED RIGHT

"I damaged my hand early on in the second or third round so I couldn't throw too many right hands so I had to win it with my left hand. I had to take my foot off the gas and win it clever," said Haye.