John Ruiz Retires

from a Press Release:

The First and Only Heavyweight World Champion of Latino Heritage Calls it a Career

LAS VEGAS (Apr. 26, 2010) – After a professional career spanning 18 years, highlighted by becoming the first and only Heavyweight World Champion of Latino heritage, two-time world champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz today announced his retirement from the ring.

Ruiz (44-9-1, 30 KOs) defeated three world champions – Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker – as well as top contenders such as Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo, Jameel McCline and Kirk Johnson. Six of John’s nine career losses were to world champions.

“I’ve had a great career but it’s time for me to turn the page and start a new chapter of my life,” Ruiz said. “It’s sad that my final fight didn’t work out the way I wanted, but, hey, that’s boxing. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished with two world titles, 12 championship fights, and being the first Latino Heavyweight Champion of the World. I fought anybody who got in the ring with me and never ducked anyone. Now, I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family.

“I want to thank all of fans for staying in my corner through a long, up-and-down ride, as well as members of my family and team – my manager and legal advisor, Atty. Tony Cardinale, my brother, Eddie (cornerman), and Keith McGrath (strength-and conditioning coach) who’ve been with me so long. I also want to thank my trainer Miguel Diaz and (assistant) Richie Sandoval for teaching an old dog, new tricks, and my promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, the fairest promoter in boxing.

“I was proud to be the WBA champion twice and have the opportunity to fight 12 times for the WBA championship, the oldest and most respected organization in boxing. I’d particularly like to thank WBA President Gilberto Mendoza.”

Ruiz plans to move from Las Vegas back home to the Boston area this year and open a boxing gym in the inner city. “With my experiences in boxing,” he explained, “I want to go home and open a gym where kids will have a place to go, keeping them off of the streets, so they can learn how to box and build character. Someday, I’d like to see one of them go on to represent the United States in the Olympics. I want them to have the same opportunity to see the world that I had as an amateur. I’ve always tried to be involved in community and charity work in the past and now I’ll have more time to work with kids.

“Maybe, someday I’ll get into training, but right now I just want to spend time with my wife, Maribelle, and my children. I wasn’t around as much as I would have liked for my two oldest children, John and Jocelyn, because I was away training or fighting. Now, I’ll be around for them and my 3-year-old son, Joaquin, as he grows up. I’m going back to my roots in Massachusetts, where a lot of my family and friends live, and look forward to helping young boxers avoid some of the bad things that I experienced in the sport but help them to experience the good times, too. Boxing is brutal but also beautiful. As I look back, I’m happy about my career, and my future is very bright.”

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While I Was Away...

by Paul Magno

When I planned out my vacation several months ago I simply didn't know how much boxing action I'd be missing...As much as I needed time away from the day to day grind here in my Central Mexican fortress, I would've put off the festivities for another date...Maybe a few weeks earlier so I could conveniently miss the Pacquiao-Clottey Crapfest...

Well, I've just about caught up on the action I've missed...So, I guess, no harm, no foul...Here's a brief review of some of the action that took place during my swingin' vacation:


Andre Dirrell DQ 11 over Arthur Abraham: Brilliant boxing clinic given by Dirrell over the first 9 or so and 100% validation of my opinion that Abraham is way overrated...As for the fight-ending foul: When, I first saw it casually, I was of the opinion that Dirrell was acting. When I saw it again and actually paid attention, it was clear that Dirrell was legitimately hurt and the way he reacted, by pawing at his eye, was eerily reminiscent of Gerald McClellan's reaction after he suffered a brain injury in a bout with Nigel Benn. Plus, how could anyone watch Dirrell's punch drunk post-fight interview and say that he was play-acting the part of a hurt fighter?

Marcos Maidana KO 6 over Victor Cayo: Whether Maidana goes on to do something at 140, there's no doubt at this point that he belongs among the top jr. welters in the world...Cayo, on the other hand, does not.


Joan Guzman SD 12 over Ali Funeka: Guzman is in a lose-lose situation...He simply can't (or won't) make a weight below 147, but he will be devoured by the elite crew at 147. Unless he can find a way to motivate himself below 135, Guzman is finished. Funeka was also busted for using a diuretic to help make weight...So, what we had was two natural welterweights fighting for a lightweight title...Go figure.


Bernard Hopkins UD 12 over Roy Jones Jr.: I never thought I'd use the words "embarrassing" and "pathetic" alongside the Hopkins name, but this was a career-low for a fighter who deserves so much better. Poorly thought-out, poorly executed and just, plain tedious, this was the most cringe-worthy fight of the year so far.


David Haye TKO 9 over John Ruiz: Haye is for real...It remains to be seen whether he can hang with the Klits, but there's no doubt at this point that Haye belongs on the main stage.


Evander Holyfield TKO 8 over Frans Botha: Sadly, with a near win over Valuev and a TKO of Botha, Holyfield has a case for continuing on with his career...

Andre Berto TKO 8 over Carlos Quintana: Yes, Berto is legit and he's a deserving champion...shame on you if you thought otherwise.

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Haye Demolishes Ruiz In Nine

Manchester, England - David Haye (24-1, 22 KO) successfully defended his WBA heavyweight title for the first time at the M.E.N Arena as he knocked-down mandatory challenger John Ruiz (44-9-1, 30 KO) four times before Ruiz's corner threw in the towel in the ninth to call a halt to the contest.

In the first thirty seconds, Haye landed a straight right hand that floored former titleholder Ruiz. The veteran got up on unsteady legs, before Haye knocked him down again with the use of illegal rabbit punches. Haye got a point deducted and admitted post-fight that it was "a little naughty" and "a bit of a cheap shot".

Ruiz continued to march forward and was often punished by Haye's right hand. Despite fighting off the back foot, Haye had no problem in winning the rounds off his fast jab, despite Ruiz dictating the pace and rhythm of the bout.

Ruiz was down again late on in the fifth following another Haye barrage, although the challenger's complaints about rabbit punching fell on deaf ears. Haye began the sixth looking for the stoppage and floored Ruiz for the fourth time with another quick combination. Ruiz was dazed by Haye's speed and struggled to nullify the champion's qualities as he promised to do so.

Haye dominated for another three rounds, before Ruiz's corner made the correct decision and pulled him out of the fight. It was the right call as Ruiz was taking one of the heaviest beatings he's had all career.

What's next for Haye is a mystery. He has a contractual agreement to give Nikolay Valuev a rematch, but that would be pointless and unnecessary. Everybody wants to see him in the ring with either Klitschko, but they seem occupied with other opponents. There are plenty of options out there, but it's up to him to make the fights the fans crave, which is to attempt to break the Klitschko stranglehold.

On the undercard, Ajose Olusegan (28-0, 14 KO) successfully defended his Commonwealth light welterweight title for the fourth time against Colin Lynes (33-8, 12 KO) with an eighth-round knockout victory. Olusegan dominated the fight before he landed a body shot on Lynes, who failed to beat the referee's ten-count. Olusegan's performance suggested he's ready for a step-up in class.

Super prospect George Groves (9-0, 7 KO) impressively stopped Charles Adamu (17-5, 12 KO) to win his first belt, the Commonwealth super middleweight title. Groves looks the real deal, becoming the first fighter to ever stop Adamu in his professional career, which is a major achievement when you consider that Adamu lasted the full twelve against Carl Froch. Groves knocked Adamu down once in the first and twice in the fourth, before the fight was stopped in the sixth.

Former top ten junior middleweight Jamie Moore (32-5, 23 KO) was upset by Sergey Khomitski (22-7-1, 9 KO) in his middleweight debut as he failed to come out for the seventh round.

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2009 Heavyweight Report

by Dafs117
At the top of the pile (because that’s what they are, a pile of crap), remains the unique two man monster, brothers to be more exact, Wladmir and Vitali Klitschko. They are double champions. Neither one has shown that they’re ‘The Man’ at the top. This is the theory. Beat one Klitschko and you’re in the top two. Beat both Klitschko’s and you’re ‘The Man.’ Sounds like an ending to a fantasy game, doesn’t it?

Nobody knows if the brothers are good for boxing. They’re gentleman, icons and great sportsmen. But a champion won’t be crowned unless they get defeated or retire (together at the top sounds like the beginning to the fantasy game). Is there anybody good enough to beat a brother? Nobody screams out DANGER to all heavyweights like a 5 fight Mike Tyson did. One thing that’s really bugging me about their fights are people classing them as ‘boring.’ I don’t mind defensive sweet science, but if you can take him out of that ring, please do. It’s just too one-sided. Like Vitali said after his pummelling of Chris Arreola, “Boxing isn’t about proving you have a hard head.” True Vitali.

Since they will NEVER fight each other, no matter how many times ignorant reporter’s will ask them that same bloody question they’ve been fending and ducking for a decade, unless they are short of cash, they would turn to each other in a mega mainstream bout that would make them filthy rich. I wonder if Big Mama Klitschko will be ringside? Who will fill the void at the end of the Klitschko era?

The current hopes of breaking the Ukrainians’ stranglehold at the peak is former undisputed cruiserweight champion David Haye, a mouthy Brit that’s uniquely charismatic for a big guy, has a massive punch output, is fast and exciting. He has given the division the kiss of life with his mouth, not his fists, which is pretty impressive. Maybe he got the big fights because he has a personality, and isn’t the same old robotic contender that usually fits the Klitschko criteria. Can he avoid those jabs and right hands for 12 rounds, and then pluck up the courage to land something powerful in return? Let’s leave that for another series of Magno vs. Machine. If Haye breaks down, Alexander Povetkin (yes another Ukrainian), is just like Haye, has a massive punch output, is fast, exciting and a MASSIVE underdog against a Klitschko.

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Read more »

Ruiz Next In Line For Hayemaker Homecoming on April 24

The new WBA heavyweight champion, David Haye, has still generated much media attention following his slaying of Goliath Nikolay Valuev. He has already been debating with Vitali Klitschko on British radio about the date of their highly anticipated unification bout.

However, on the undercard of their title contest was John Ruiz, the WBA’s mandatory challenger for the new champion after he stopped journeyman Adnan Serin in the seventh round. A new-look Ruiz team fought with different tactics to their usual boring hugging style. Ruiz came out throwing flurries of punches that forced his opponent back onto the ropes. Ruiz was cut on his forehead, similar to Zab Judah’s cut against Ernest Johnson last year, and as a result of that, the fight date has been moved to April.

David Haye has also broken his right hand, but not to the severity that was first feared from the Englishman’s camp and loyal fans, who travelled out in great number to watch their fighter capture his childhood dream.

This fight does nothing for me and is one prime example of how sanctioning bodies damage boxing. Ruiz is a decent fighter but is not by any stretch of the imagination the top heavyweight contender on the planet. Plus he’s a boring fighter to boot. Who wants to see that fight? No one outside of Ruiz’s family and camp.

Haye on Saturday pumped a miniscule drop of life into the shallow heavyweight division that will be sucked right back out when he fights Ruiz. Haye should be allowed to build on his momentum by facing an Ukranian with the surname Klitschko or Tomasz Adamek in fights the fans would fully embrace. Why torture fans when the sport is struggling to build its fan base?

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The BTBC Boxing News of the Day (6/9/09)

(Updated Throughout The Day)

Interview w/ Mayweather Sr - On his Son, Mosley, Pacman &...
Boxing Finally Gets Healthy Again
The Spoiler
Pavlik vs Sturm in October is Possible, Says Dunkin
Paul Williams on Mosley, Pacman, Floyd, Hopkins, Calzaghe...
"Bones" Adams Returns
Is Mayweather Really Too Big For Marquez?
USA Boxing Swings Back With Changes
Donnie Nietes Faces Manuel Vargas on 7/18 in Mexico
John Ruiz Determined To Fight The Good Fight
Calderon-Mayol: 14 Pounds From a Doubleheader
Danny Perez: "Every Fight Is My Last Chance"

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Madcow's Standing 8 Count (6/8/09)

by Madcow

Here I am, your favorite bovine boxing columnist, rockin' you like a mother frickin' hurricane, with several axes to grind and a massive inferiority complex (not to mention a substance abuse problem, a weight problem, several dozen outstanding parking tickets and a sexual addiction that makes David Carradine look like Fred Rogers)!

Sorry for last week's lack of a column, but I was knee-deep in Polynesian trim and I honestly didn't feel like writing another column on a slow news week.

But then, as if delivered from heaven directly to my bloodshot eyes, David Haye gives me enough material for several month's worth of columns!

By now, I'm sure you all know, but Haye pulled out of his Heavyweight title fight against Wladimir Klitschko, leaving behind a stadium's worth of sold tickets, several million dollars and about 50,000 dumb T-shirts where Haye is ripping the heads off of the Klitschko Bros.

Now, it's just Haye who's getting a virtual decapitation from fans and media for talking so much trash and backing out at the last minute.

Don't buy the injury talk, this Madcow can smell cold feet when their rubbed up against his nose. Haye wrote a check that his sack couldn't cash.

Now, Wlad has an opponent in Ruslan Chagaev who may have Hepatitis, but isn't suffering from "yellow" fever. I say Klit, as a punishment, makes Haye fight Chris Arreola, Alexander Povetkin and Samuel Peter before getting back into contention.

All in all, though, this is a good thing since it saves me the 5 minutes the fight would've lasted before Klitschko separated Haye's flapping jaw from his head.

Ahhhhh. It's good to be back!

Message boards and websites are on fire all over the net about the upcoming Floyd Mayweather-Juan Manuel Marquez fight. I've heard both sides and here's the official decision from Madcow:

Mayweather's entitled to a tune-up fight and even a mini-Marquez is not bad at all for a tune-up. Afterwards, if Mayweather isn't making a serious effort to fight someone named Pacquiao, Cotto, Mosley or Williams next, then he deserves the wrath of the world.

Doesn't it seem that Manny Pacquiao's people know deep down inside that the dog and pony show is just about up? His people want nothing to do with a real Welterweight fight, they're already dismissing the idea of a Mayweather fight and they're going to price themselves out of any fight against a legit 140 lb. fighter.

On a similar note, if any Welter melts down to meet Pacquiao's crazy demands, they are goofy and deserve the dehydrated beating they'll get. Hear that, Shane Mosley?

David Tua announced that he'll officially be changing his ring name from "Tuaman" to "The Tuaminator." Can Madcow make a few more name change suggestions? How about "Tua Years Since He's Last Fought," "It's Tua Bad He Doesn't Get Off His Fat Ass and Fight, " or "I Wouldn't Pay Tua Cents to Watch Him Fight Shane Cameron?"

Alfredo Angulo, buddy, how the hell could you lose to Kermit "I'm Too Sensitive" Cintron?

Kelly Pavlik re-signed with Top Rank after they spendt the last 18-months burying the kid against weak opposition on bogus cards and allowing him to get within spitting distance of a slick spoiler like Bernard Hopkins. Maybe Pavlik is the "take the money and run" type of fighter after all. Kelly, how many pick up trucks and "Best of Bob Seeger" CDs can you buy?

John Ruiz is still whining about not getting another shot at the Heavyweight title and about not getting the respect he thinks he deserves. Well, this cure for insomnia has had almost a dozen world title fights in his putrid career and, combined, they've produced less excitement than the first round of any James Kirkland bout. Go away, Ruiz and take your garbage attitude and style with you. You are to Boxing what Stryper was to Death Metal.

Alright, kiddies, all out of venom for this week. See ya next Sunday and, remember, support the BTBC. I have it on good word that this Summer will make or break our community. Let's keep stickin' it to the man. F*ck You Fightnews and Max Boxing! Madcow's gonna rape Boxingscene's mother!

Peace and Love.

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John Ruiz's Open Letter to American...Zzzzzzzzzz

An Open Letter from John Ruiz:

"I’ve been told I’m not the most fan-friendly fighter in the world, my style often criticized as being ugly, but I’m proud to say I’ve never ducked a worthy opponent. For the past month or two, though, I’ve read and heard a lot BS about how I shouldn’t be the WBA mandatory title challenger. A few totally unproven, so-called contenders have whined about them deserving a world title shot more than I do. Why? Who have Chris Arreola, Eddie Chambers, Kevin Johnson or Brian Minto beaten to deserve a world title shot? Nobody!

“Just compare my list of victories to yours. You guys haven’t come close to doing what I’ve accomplished. I’ve been where you’re trying to get – 11 world title fights (2 WBA titles) — and I’m even willing to risk my WBA mandatory title shot next year against the Chagaev-Valuev II winner just to show everyone that I’m entitled to another world championship fight. Prove me wrong. Stop all of the smack talk, try and beat me in the ring – the only place it really counts — to be the real No. 1 American heavyweight.

“Next year, I’ll be fighting for the crown again unless one of you pretenders step-up and change my schedule. Show the boxing world that you’re a true contender, not a pretender. You want it, come and get it – put your money where your mouth is. No more excuses, just contact my attorney Tony Cardinale (your promoters know how), and let’s make it happen.”

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