FanPost promoted by SC

Some good news being reported by BoxingScene and UK Press:

David Haye's WBA heavyweight title challenge against Nikolay Valuev will go ahead on November 7 after former champion John Ruiz agreed to end his campaign to scupper the fight.

The contest was agreed earlier this summer but some doubt surrounded it after mandatory challenger Ruiz threatened to force Valuev to fulfil his obligations and fight him, rather than the Englishman.

However in a statement, Chris Meyer, general manager of Valuev's promoter Sauerland Events, said: "There is absolutely no problem with the Valuev-Haye bout. Everything has been sorted out."

He added: "We have struck a deal with Team Ruiz for him to step aside. Our attorneys are just putting it in writing.

"Once this contract has been signed, we will submit the necessary papers to the WBA by the end of this week.

"German TV ARD and UK's Sky Box Office have booked the November 7 date in their schedules. We are just discussing the dates for the press conference."

Notes from SC: This is mildly unexpected, as I thought Ruiz was quite serious about wanting his shot soon, but you can also never discount John Ruiz and his lawyers. What they were looking for instead -- since I doubt this was some blowaway offer they couldn't refuse -- was just some step-aside money. They saw an opportunity at free cash while they sit on a mandatory and took it. Given all the crap sanctioning bodies pull, good for Ruiz.