Nikolai Valuev vs. Evander Holyfield (six rounds apiece). The decision was controversial, with veteran announcer Nick Charles stating "That is the worst display of officiating I have ever seen." ESPN's Dan Rafael wrote "you can make more of a legitimate argument that Holyfield won all 12 rounds than you can make one that Valuev claimed at least seven to take the fight." Valuev would go on to face former unified cruiserweight champion David Haye, losing via a majority decision and retiring three days later. Holyfield would continue on for three more fights before finally retiring just before he turned 50, therefore this fight marked the
Wladimir Klitschko vs. Ruslan Chagaev WBA title from Nikolay Valuev in April 2007 by a majority decision. His scheduled rematch with Valeuv was twice cancelled due a viral infection and a torn Achilles tendon both suffered by Chagaev. After the second cancellation Chagaev vacated the title becoming a "Champion In recess", with Valuev going on to defeat fellow former champion John Ruiz to regain the title. After Haye pulled out, Klitschko and Chagaev agreed to meet at the Veltins-Arena with the vacant "Ring" magazine heavyweight belt on the line. Also, this was the first time that the Lineal championship had been contested since Lennox Lewis