Berlin, Germany -- (Sports Network) - Nikolai Valuev reclaimed the vacant WBA heavyweight title with a 12-round split decision over former champion John Ruiz.

It was the second time Valuev beat Ruiz, also doing so in December 2005 to take the WBA heavyweight belt. Ruslan Chagaev was forced to pull out of his mandatory title defense against Valuev because of a ruptured Achilles tendon, thus forcing the WBA to set up Saturday's bout.

Chagaev beat Valuev for the belt in April 2007.

Valuev (49-1) won by scores of 116-111, 116-113 on two of the scorecards, while Ruiz (43-8-1) was ahead 114-113 on the other one.

Known as "The Russian Giant", the 7-foot Valuev scored effectively with his long jab and was able to get to Ruiz enough times on the inside to sway two of the judges to his side.