Briefly

Ruiz loses WBA heavyweight crown to Russian 7-footer Valuev in Berlin

John Ruiz lost the WBA heavyweight title Saturday night in Berlin, dropping a disputed majority decision to 7-foot Nikolay Valuev of Russia.

Valuev, who becomes the tallest and heaviest (323 pounds) champion in history, won 116-113 and 116-114 on two judges’ cards, with a third judge scoring the fight 114-114.

The crowd of 10,000 booed the decision.

“Boxing is the only sport where you can get robbed without a gun,” Ruiz said. “My promoter, Don King, should do his job and get a rematch.”

Ruiz manager Norman Stone had to be restrained in the ring when the announcement was made, and German promoter Wilfried Sauerland accused him of inciting the crowd, leading to the booing.

Each side admitted the fight was close after Valuev loosened up and won the middle rounds. He became the first Russian heavyweight champion.

Ruiz’s record fell to 42-6-1, while Valuev improved to 43-0 with one no-decision.

Men’s skiing

Miller regains World Cup lead

Bode Miller finished eighth in a World Cup downhill won by Marco Buechel of Liechtenstein amid snowdrifts and strong wind in Val Gardena, Italy.

Miller, also eighth in Friday’s super-G, regained the lead in the overall standings. The New Hampshire skier leads Austria’s Michael Walchhofer by 22 points.

Buechel won a World Cup downhill for the first time, finishing in 1 minute, 27.99 seconds. Austria’s Michael Walchhofer was 0.02 seconds behind and Canada’s Erik Guay was third, following his runner-up finish in Friday’s super-G.

•Germany’s Tobias Angerer won a men’s 30-kilometer World Cup classic cross-country race in 1 hour, 18 minutes, 10.9 seconds at Canmore, Alberta. Norway’s Frode Estil was second in 1:18.11.4 and Germany’s Jens Filbrich was third. Kris Freeman was the top American in 20th place.

Women’s skiing

Americans finish 1-2 in downhill

Lindsay Kildow won a World Cup downhill in Val d’Isere, France, with Caroline Lalive the runner-up – the first 1-2 downhill finish for U.S. women since Picabo Street and Hilary Lindh in 1994.

Kildow’s winning time was 1 minute, 21.91 seconds, with Lalive at 1:22.29. Kildow and Lalive also become the first American women to finish among the top three at Val d’Isere since Street placed second in 1996.

•Skiing before cowbell-clanging home fans, cross-country star Beckie Scott led the entire way and held off Russia’s Julija Tchepalova to win a 15-kilometer classic World Cup race in Canmore, Alberta.

Scott, who trains and lives in Bend, Ore., won in 45 minutes, 2.2 seconds to edge Tchepalova (45.06.9). From early on, the two women were well ahead of the rest of the pack.

•Anna Carin Olofsson of Sweden won a 7.5-kilometer World Cup biathlon sprint in Osrblie, Slovakia. With faultless shooting, Olofsson completed the course in 22 minutes, 11.5 seconds. Kati Wilhelm of Germany finished second, 53.5 seconds behind.

Golf

Goosen leads South African Open

Retief Goosen shot a 4-under-par 69 to lead fellow South African Ernie Els by three strokes after the third round of the South African Open in George.

Goosen, a two-time U.S. Open champion, had an eagle, three birdies and a bogey to finish at 7-under 212. Els had an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys in his round of 69 to move into second.

Horse racing

Brother Derek wins at Hollypark

Brother Derek beat favorite Your Tent Or Mine by a length in the $407,250 Hollywood Futurity at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif.

Six Hollywood Futurity winners have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby, including Giacomo this year.

Ridden by Alex Solis, Brother Derek caught pacesetter Old Thunder at the half-mile pole and held off a late charge from Your Tent or Mine, running 1 1/16 miles in 1:42 for the 2-year-old colt’s third victory in five starts.