Haye lives up to the hype

In a hugely impressive display from the champion against an experienced opponent, Haye lived up to the hype by finishing off the job in clinical fashion after knocking Ruiz down twice in the opening round.

The American challenger showed great courage to stay in the contest, but was no match for the 29-year-old from London, who will now be setting his sights on even bigger and better nights ahead.

After seizing his crown with a majority points decision over Nikolai Valuev in November and completing a succesful first defence last night, the 29-year-old's next target on his quest for world domination will be a lucrative showdown against either Vitali or Wladimir Klitschko. If last night's performance is anything to go by, it will be another thrilling and dramatic contest.

"I am really happy," said Haye, whose victory came two minutes and one second into the ninth round by technical knockout. "I have given all these beautiful fans screaming for the Hayemaker a great performance."

Haye went into this fight promising fireworks and that's exactly what he delivered. His American opponent's reputation for durability may have been well earned. After all, Ruiz went into the contest having been stopped out only once in a 54-fight career, and that was by David Tua 14 years ago. But when Haye had said he was convinced he could finish the job inside the distance it was more than pre-fight bravado and bluster. Clearly, he really meant it.

Ruiz, the 38-year-old American known for his spoiling style, started the first world heavyweight title fight staged in Britain since 2000 as a heavy underdog.

In the build-up Haye refused to taunt an opponent who fought 36 rounds against Evander Holyfield a decade ago, realising the futility of attempting to provoke such a wily campaigner. But he was expected to be too fast and too powerful before a 20,000 sell-out crowd not to retain his precious title. Haye spent the early afternoon at Old Trafford watching Chelsea beat Manchester United and paraded his belt on the pitch before kick-off. But he clearly wasted very little energy. Haye had talked about how he respected rather than admired Ruiz and how "there doesn't seem to be an ounce of fear," in the American. But that must have changed midway through an explosive first round which Haye went into with all guns blazing.

Only 25 seconds had passed before a massive right hand from Haye sent Ruiz crashing to the canvas. The American managed to get back to his feet after a count of seven, only to be on the receiving end of another barrage. In his eagerness Haye had a point deducted for hitting on the back of the head and Ruiz survived the round, even landing a right hand of his own on the final bell.

By the end of third round Ruiz's nose was bleeding heavily after taking several lightening-fast jabs.

Haye, who weighed in at a career heaviest 15st 12lbs, landed with two giant shots in the fifth that staggered Ruiz, but the dogged challenger refused to cave in.

One more ferocious right hand hit its mark but Ruiz was only dropped when Haye cuffed him around the back of the head, though a count still ensued. The courageous Ruiz was showing remarkable tenacity as he continued to take heavy punishment, while occasionally exposing Haye's vulnerability.

Ruiz was saved by the bell in the sixth, his resistance fading amid a barrage of heavy blows.

He was nothing more than a punch bag but somehow held on through the sevent and eighth rounds before his corner had seen enough.