From now on, Ruslan Chagaev can call himself a giantkiller. Nikolay Valuev’s size, threat and power had become legend, now it stands as little more than a myth as it was proved that speed and self-belief can topple size. It was like David v Goliath all over again — without the knockout.

Chagaev, who gave away 11in and 91lb to the 7ft champion, was seen as something of a no-hoper beforehand, despite an unbeaten professional record and glittering amateur career. But this was a triumph of brains and heart over brawn. “I might be small, but I’m vicious,” Chagaev said.

Remarkably, he had won the bout and Valuev’s WBA heavyweight title on a majority points decision by boxing at distance, spending most of the bout prowling beyond Valuev’s huge reach, jumping in with fast left hooks. Valuev never worked out Chagaev’s southpaw style, but when he had the chance to press his advantage in the latter rounds as Chagaev slowed, he came up short.

“I’m not giving up on Nikolay,” Don King, Valuev’s co-promoter, said. “He just didn’t throw enough punches. But that was a great fight and that’s what boxing needs.” The Russian, 33, who was gracious in defeat, has never been very popular in Germany, where the Klitschko brothers are fêted and the most popular boxer is Regina Halmich — the women’s world flyweight champion.

Chagaev ducked around the ring like a fly that Valuev was trying to swat. Each time the smaller man landed, or seemed to land, the crowd roared. However, Valuev blocked many of the Uzbek’s blows and some fell short, hitting arms and shoulders. It is difficult to believe that the judges were not swayed by the crowd, particularly in the early rounds when Chagaev landed few clean shots. Many rounds were close and difficult to score — Valuev landing more, but Chagaev landing better.

Temperatures had topped 28C during the day and the heat in the Porsche Arena, particularly under television lights in the ring, was stifling and seemed to affect Valuev. From round seven, he was gasping for breath and as he tried to force a finish in the last round, he seemed close to toppling over.

Chalerm Prayasab, the Thai judge, astonishingly had Chagaev six points ahead, while Stanley Christodoulou, of South Africa, scored it a draw and Hector Hernández, the Mexican official, had it 115-113 to Chagaev. Had Valuev won the last round on all three cards, he would have kept the title via a draw.

Many had underestimated the challenger because of his alarming physical disadvantage, but Chagaev, 28, had prepared for the bout by having his trainer, Michael Timm, stand on a box during padwork to simulate the effect of boxing a taller man. The plan worked.

Chagaev boxed smartly, too, hardly surprising for a former world amateur champion who was good enough to beat Félix Savón, the three-times Olympic champion from Cuba. There was hardly any clinching, almost unheard of in a heavyweight bout, but it meant that Valuev was unable to use his bulk to tire Chagaev.

The other big winner on the night was Klaus-Peter Kohl, Chagaev’s promoter and a bitter rival of Wilfred Sauerland, the promoter of Valuev. Kohl was the man who had built the Klitschko brothers into world- beaters before they walked out on him in a bitter split.

“It was a long time to get the title back,” he said. “I think he [Chagaev] can go on to be a great champion. He was a great amateur.”

However, the result is a blow for chances of unifying the world heavyweight titles. There had been hopes that Valuev — who had been two bouts short of matching Rocky Marciano’s all-time unbeaten record of 49 for a world heavyweight champion — would face Wladimir Klitschko, the IBF champion, later this year. But although Chagaev and Klitschko both live in Hamburg, the latter’s history with Kohl makes a unification unlikely. Another champion from the former Soviet Union, without the appeal of the Klitschkos or Valuev, would also be a tough sell to the all-important American market.

And then there were four

Oleg Maskaev WBC champion, 38, 6ft 3in

Originally from Kazakhstan, now a joint US and Russian citizen. Will next face Samuel Peter, of Nigeria, after a plan fell through to box Vitali Klitschko, the retired former champion.

Ruslan Chagaev WBA champion, 28, 6ft 1in

Originally from Uzbekistan but now lives in Germany. One drawn bout is the only blemish on a 24-fight unbeaten record.

Wladimir Klitschko IBF champion, 31, 6ft 6in

From Ukraine, lives in Germany. Likely to face Lamon Brewster in Cologne in July, the man who beat Klitschko for the WBO title in 2004.

Shannon Briggs WBO champion, 35, 6ft 4in

From US. Once homeless, lost to Lennox Lewis in 1998 and won title in final-second knockout of Sergei Liakovich last year. Faces Sultan Ibragimov, of Russia, in June.

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