Team RSR Fight Picks: John Ruiz vs. David Haye/Roy Jones vs. Bernard Hopkins
Compiled by Brian Wilbur
On separate fight cards, on separate continents, two notable boxing main events will take place this Saturday, April 3rd. The first is a WBA Heavyweight Championship fight between title holder David Haye and former holder of that belt John Ruiz. The second is a grudge match between Roy Jones and Bernard Hopkins, who despite being well into their 40’s are still two of the sports biggest stars. Neither of these big money fights are being televised by a major US television network, which may actually be a blessing in disguise since neither match is expected to be action packed. The team of writers from RSR offer their predictions for both marquee bouts.
John Ruiz vs. David Haye
Brian Wilbur
David Haye doesn’t have the inside fighting prowess of James Toney, or the compact power of David Tua, or the speed and movement of Roy Jones; so for those reasons I think Haye will have a tough time with John Ruiz. Avoiding those clinches has proven difficult for most of Ruiz’s opponents. I see an ugly fight that is tough to score. Haye comes away with a debatable decision since he has the hometown judges behind him.
Geoff Poundes
I don’t believe this to be a competitive fight – the only reason Ruiz hasn’t been knocked out Tua-like in fifteen years is that he’s fought in a division shockingly bereft of any kind of talent. When he has fought anyone with a heavyweight pulse they’ve been either too old (Holyfield, Toney) or too fat (Toney, Toney, Toney). Expect Haye to come out fast, and he won’t worry about his chandelier chin since Ruiz doesn’t have a world class punch, so that he knocks Ruiz out within three rounds.
Jeff Stoyanoff
Ruiz specializes in making his opponents look bad. He is able to do this by consistently taking away the main weapon of his opponent. That is a difficult thing to stop an intelligent, solid fighter from doing; which might just be why Ruiz hasn’t been stopped in a fight in 14 years. Ruiz will do what he does. He will stifle Haye’s speed and movement and make it into a competitive grind. However, Haye will have just enough to slip passed Ruiz and take a tight unanimous or majority decision.
Eoin Redahan
Haye will make a big statement by knocking Ruiz out. I’m going to say round five.
Joe Wilson
Even though John Ruiz is an awkward fighter and poses problems for most fighters, I believe David Haye will land power shots early, and stop Ruiz inside of 8 rounds by TKO.
Geno McGahee
Haye is the favorite going in because of his speed, but his chin and Ruiz’s sneaky right hand make this an interesting fight. The most likely scenario is a UD for Haye as he uses his jab and movement, not risking much, and cruising to a decision win. Ruiz has issues with speed. It’ll cost him here. Haye by UD.
SJ Jarapa
Errr…….. WBA Heavyweight Championship? Okay, this is a blonde moment but I’m surprised there’s still a belt that hasn’t been annexed by the Soviet. I’ll be retarded and pick John Ruiz by majority decision.
“Bad” Brad Berkwitt
John Ruiz by an upset split decision.
Final Tally
David Haye – 6
John Ruiz – 2
Roy Jones vs. Bernard Hopkins
Brian Wilbur
Roy Jones is so far past his prime I fear for his life. Hopkins, though older in age and boring in style, can still hang with the elite of the division. Hopkins wins a wide decision.
Geoff Poundes
Sorry, but who cares? Hopkins will win. Big whoop.
Jeff Stoyanoff
Hopkins has never liked speed (who does?), but hand speed has a way of making him slow down even more and become extra methodical. As scary as it sounds, this fight might be even more boring than expected. Jones’ skills have fallen completely off the map, but he still has a little speed and he can still put some punches together. Hopkins will be methodical and his punch output will be low, especially early on. Eventually, Hopkins will step it up a little and he will punish Jones as he himself fades down the stretch. Still, Jones will look to survive in a desperate attempt to avoid the ignominy of being knocked out by his arch rival and in that he should be successful. Nonetheless, Hopkins has more in the tank and he will emerge with a clear unanimous decision win.
Eoin Redahan
The manner of Hopkins’ victory over Jones Jr. is hard to call. I think Hopkins will win by a wide points decision after having Jones on the canvas.
Joe Wilson
This fight will have the same outcome as the first. There is real tension this time. Bernard Hopkins will resort to dirty tactics once he starts to get hit clean by Roy Jones JR. (holding, headbutting and hitting behind the head). Going into the later rounds Jones will be ahead on all scorecards. His speed and accuracy will be too much for Hopkins. This is going to break out into a real fight if there is no disqualification, Jones wins by decision once again.
Geno McGahee
In this absurd PPV main event, I will go with Hopkins by UD. No brainer.
SJ Jarapa
Roy Jones Jr. is toting a gun with one bullet coming into this fight and that bullet is his only chance in a million against Bernard Hopkins. Hopkins in 6 rounds.
“Bad” Brad Berkwitt
Bernard Hopkins by a boring 12 round UD in a fight, I would not pay a dime to see.
Final Tally
Bernard Hopkins – 7
Roy Jones – 1