LORD OF THE RING ... WBA champ David Haye

DAVID HAYE retained his WBA title with an awesome display of power punching that put John Ruiz on the floor FOUR times.

The Londoner savaged Ruiz from the first bell with sledgehammer bombs delivered with blinding speed.

This was as one-sided as a heavyweight contest can get and Ruiz's corner finally had enough when trainer Miguel Diaz waved the white towel in surrender after two minutes and one second of round nine at Manchester's MEN Arena.

A delighted Haye said: "I knew it was going to be tough, but I knew when I landed my bombs I was going to hurt him.

"Credit to Ruiz, he was a durable opponent, but I could have taken him out in the first round if I didn't rush my shots.

"I'm over the moon and really happy with the performance. I felt I was really sharp."

Ruiz, despite being outclassed, was dangerous throughout and rocked Haye with some heavy rights to the jaw.

The veteran American was down twice in a sensational opening round as he went looking for the champion like a bull in a china shop.

He hit the canvas for the first time after a solid right to the face and was put down again before cl**tching the back of his head, hanging over the ropes, as if to say he was caught by a rabbit punch.

Referee Guillermo Perez agreed and took a point away from Haye even though he gave Ruiz his second standing eight count.

Ruiz carried on fighting after the bell and Haye's trainer Adam Booth screamed for the official to take a point away from the American.

The 38-year-old Quiet Man was taking a sustained beating like he had never absorbed before, with Haye's jab softening him up for the big over-hand right crosses.

And the sell-out Manchester crowd loved it as Haye delivered what he had promised in his first title defence.

Ruiz clung on for as long as could but was put down again in both the fifth and sixth rounds.

He refused to stop moving forward, only to be picked off at will by the impressive Hayemaker.

And it came as little surprise when Diaz's corner asked for the fight to be stopped in the ninth, handing Haye a technical knockout to extend his record to 24 wins in 25 fights.

After the fight, Haye was quick to pay tribute to the fans who turned out to support him on a great night for British boxing.

The 29-year-old said: "The crowd has been absolutely electric for me. There was a 20,000 capacity here with everyone screaming for the Hayemaker.

"With performances like that I'll keep the fans behind me. I loved the whole occasion."