Chagaev beats giant Valuev to land WBA heavyweight title

STUTTGART, Germany, Apr 15 (Reuters) Ruslan Chagaev of Uzbekistan beat champion Nikolai Valuev on points to capture the World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight title.

Two of the three judges gave the fight to the challenger, 115-113 and 117-111. The other called it a 114-114 draw.

The Russian, who weighed in at 144.7-kg and stands 2.13-metres tall, was unable to make his physical advantage tell against 28-year-old southpaw Chagaev.

The defeat, his first in a 14-year professional career, ruined the 33-year-old Valuev's dream of surpassing Rocky Marciano's 49 successive wins in the division.

Valuev, who claimed the WBA title in December 2005, had won 46 fights, 34 by knockout.

REUTERS SAM RK1015