BERLIN (AP):

Different date, similar story: the second fight between Russian giant Nikolai Valuev and John Ruiz in Berlin also ended with a judging controversy. And the same outcome.

Valuev regained the WBA championship early yesterday, using his left jab to outpoint Ruiz in an unanimous decision.

The fight was first declared a split decision, but the score was officially later changed to give Valuev all three of the judges' votes.

The seven-foot Valuev (49-1) regained the title he lost to Ruslan Chagaev in April 2007 and beat Ruiz (43-8-1) for the second time.

The judges scored it 116-113, 116-111 and 114-113.

First decision

In a press conference following the fight, WBA delegate John Mack explained that one of the officials, Japanese ringside judge Takeshi Shimakawa, alerted him after the first split decision was read out that he too had given the fight to Valuev.

The Japanese official explained that one of the cards had the names of the fighters in a different order, therefore, resulting in the confusion. Shimakawa was the judge who scored it 114-113.

The decision wasn't popular with everyone in the Max Schmeling arena in Berlin, with some of the crowd booing the outcome.

Valuev, with a massive advantage in height, weight and reach, also won a disputed decision over Ruiz in December 2005.

"I thought I won the fight," Ruiz said. "I don't know what was going with the scorecards."

The scorecards were taken back and fourth from the ring several times.