Russian giant takes title

NIKOLAI VALUEV reaped the rewards of more than a decade of hard work to become the tallest and heaviest world champion in boxing history.

The 7ft, 23st 1lb Russian, who edged home on the scorecards to wrest the WBA heavyweight title from John Ruiz on Saturday in Berlin, shattered the previous records set by Italian Primo Carnera.

Carnera stood 6ft 7ins and tipped the scales at 19st 4lb for his 1934 world title defence against Tommy Loughran. Danny Williams matched Carnera's weight for his WBC title challenge to Vitali Klitschko last year.