A number of footballers including members of the victorious Chelsea team who had won at Old Trafford along with Shay Given and Wayne Bridge of Manchester City, Villa's John Carew and Bolton's Diop watched on as Haye floored John Ruiz twice in the opening round.
The Millwall supporter continued to land punches mainly on the face of the American who seemed to soak up anything that Haye offered in the next three rounds.
Haye ran out of time to finish Ruiz off in Round Five after the American was given an eight count and in the sixth round, Ruiz was sent to his knees again.
Ruiz, to his credit kept going but in the second minute of the ninth round and the face of the American showing it had taken some heavy punches, the towel was thrown in and Haye much to everyone's delight retained his WBA World Heavyweight title.
Peter Reid poses with a fan
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