{"id":1522,"date":"2010-03-09T00:04:48","date_gmt":"2010-03-09T05:04:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ringsidereport.com\/?p=1522"},"modified":"2010-03-09T00:04:48","modified_gmt":"2010-03-09T05:04:48","slug":"the-quiet-man-looks-to-destroy-david-haye-john-ruiz-speaks-to-rsr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/?p=1522","title":{"rendered":"The "Quietman" Looks to Destroy David Haye: John Ruiz Speaks to RSR"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Interview by Jeff Stoyanoff and Mike Zepeda<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cPeople see boxing as a brutal sport, but at the same time they need to see the opposite side where it helps a lot of guys get off the streets.\u201d \u2013 John Ruiz<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Even John Ruiz himself is aware that he is likely coming to the end of a long and winding road in a difficult yet gratifying boxing career that has spanned nearly 18 years.\u00a0 The former 2-Time Heavyweight Champion even referred to his upcoming title bout with WBA Champion David Haye as possibly the \u201clast hurrah\u201d in a career that Ruiz himself likened to a roller coaster ride.\u00a0 The terminally underrated Ruiz holds win over the likes of:\u00a0 Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman, Jameel McCline, Andrew Golota, as well as wins over many other notable names.\u00a0 In addition, he will always hold a special place in boxing history as the first fighter of Latino heritage to ever win a Heavyweight Championship.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Still, as he prepares for his April 3rd fight with the newly crowned WBA Champ David Haye, Ruiz appears mindful of the timing of things, while predictably remaining deeply determined to secure one last big win to finish off his fine career.\u00a0 These solemn, yet somewhat intriguing realities were clearly on his mind as Ruiz took some time to talk about his upcoming fight, his future, and the state of boxing in a recent interview with Ringside Report. \u00a0<\/p>\n

RR:\u00a0 One of the striking differences in this fight lies in the experience level of both fighters against top competition.\u00a0 How important might experience be in this fight?\u00a0 And, how might that experience play out in the fight itself?<\/strong><\/p>\n

You never know in fights like this.\u00a0 You have the younger guy and the older guy and one guy has a lot more fights and the other is hungry to gain that experience.\u00a0 It all depends on who has the stamina and the heart to go out there and take the fight to the other person.\u00a0 You can never tell which way the fight will go; it\u2019s all about who is hungrier.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

RR: The fight is set to take place in Britain.\u00a0 You were quoted saying that you felt that Haye\u2019s fans helped to \u201csway\u201d the decision when he fought Valuev in Germany in his last fight.\u00a0 How concerned are you about the potential for the crowd to sway the result in this fight?\u00a0 And, could it even impact the way you actually choose to fight in the ring?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I honestly felt that his fans put an exclamation point on that win against Valuev.\u00a0 Both fighters didn\u2019t do what they needed to do to actually win the fight.\u00a0 The fans created the atmosphere where it looked like Haye was doing more than Valuev even though it was kind of even with neither of them throwing punches.\u00a0 But at the same time, now it\u2019s me going over to fight Haye in his hometown.\u00a0 But, I honestly feel like the British fans are there more for a great fight than anything else.\u00a0 I\u2019ve fought there six times and have never lost and I never had the experience that they were against me.\u00a0 Even though I was always fighting a hometown guy, somehow or some way I managed to get the crowd behind me.\u00a0 I\u2019m looking forward to fighting there; unlike Germany where I am 0-3 so I am glad to be moving away from there.\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t catch a break fighting over there, but meanwhile I\u2019m 6-0 in Britain so I like my odds there where the fans get behind the fighter that is actually doing the fighting.<\/p>\n

RR:\u00a0 When asked about this fight, David Haye said the following about you, \u201cHe is a pressure fighter.\u00a0 He has quick hands and he will try to take me into the trenches.\u00a0 I am relishing that battle.\u201d\u00a0 Would you like to get into a fast paced fight with him with more exchanges?\u00a0 Or will you look to set a slower pace?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The thing is I have fought these kinds of fighters before from James Toney to Roy Jones, but also bigger guys like McCline.\u00a0 I have fought guys at all kinds of weights and I\u2019ve adjusted to all of them.\u00a0 This is a fight I am looking forward to myself.\u00a0 This guy\u2019s main weapon is his quickness, but at the same time it\u2019s nothing I haven\u2019t seen before.\u00a0 It\u2019s a fight where it\u2019s up to me to win or lose and what I mean by that is it\u2019s up to me to take the fight and make sure he gets off his horse and comes in to fight.\u00a0 But, I think most of the time he is going to be on his horse and I feel like I\u2019ll have to chase him down.<\/p>\n

RR: You have also talked about his movement as a key weapon for him, perhaps even his main weapon in the fight.\u00a0 He does have a pretty impressive knockout percentage in his career thus far.\u00a0 What do you make of his power?\u00a0 And, how careful do you feel like you need to be with him, particularly early on?<\/strong><\/p>\n

You always have to be careful with anybody because any punch can knock out anyone so you definitely have to be careful with anyone you fight; especially with a guy like Haye who has quick hands so you never know when the punch is coming.\u00a0 That is the one thing you have to be prepared for is that quickness because that quickness can create power.\u00a0 What we\u2019re doing is preparing for him and working on cutting off the ring to make sure he has to fight me.\u00a0 That is my game plan all the time is to make the other guy fight my fight;\u00a0 that is what I have been doing my entire career; making my opponent fight my fight.\u00a0 I have been able to accomplish that most of the time.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RR: On the other hand, one of the persistent questions about Haye surrounds his ability to take a punch especially now that he is campaigning as a heavyweight.\u00a0 Do you expect that you will be able to hurt him when you land in this fight?<\/strong><\/p>\n

With things like this you just never know.\u00a0 He is quick.\u00a0 He avoids punches.\u00a0 It will be tough for me to connect on him cleanly, but at the same time I have to throw more than one.\u00a0 That is a key for me is I have to throw more than one punch at a time.\u00a0 That is why we are working on combinations that way if one misses then the other two might connect.\u00a0 That\u2019s the thing, he may move and get on his horse and definitely run around a lot.\u00a0 But, it\u2019s up to me to cut the ring off, slow him down, work the body, and from there if one connects that\u2019s perfect we can all go home early.\u00a0 But, if it doesn\u2019t then I am there for the long haul.<\/p>\n

RR: You came in to your last fight at 227 pounds which is the lightest you had been for several years.\u00a0 Is that the weight you are targeting for this fight?\u00a0 And, is that about matching up with Haye in terms of the quickness you were talking about just then?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most definitely.\u00a0 Right now I\u2019m at 230 and I feel good, but I feel like I can still shed a few more pounds so that I can be even lighter on my feet.\u00a0 The key thing in this fight is making sure that he doesn\u2019t run as much as he did in the Valuev fight and some of his other fights.\u00a0 That is the key point of my training.\u00a0 If I can stop him and make him stop running that is perfect for me because now he is fighting my fight and he is not doing what he is supposed to be doing which is throwing a few punches and taking off.\u00a0 So, that is the key focus of my training and hopefully it will work out.<\/p>\n

RR: It sounds like the main concern deals with him using his speed to get off first and then move on you.\u00a0 What specifically can you do to negate the speed advantage that he hopes to utilize in this fight?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The best thing is moving well myself.\u00a0 I have been working with Miguel Diaz and Richie Saldivar and they have me moving my head more.\u00a0 Maybe you saw in my last fight that I moved a little more, but now this fight I am bringing out even more and definitely making him miss.\u00a0 The key thing with Haye is he hates to waste energy.\u00a0 Once he starts to miss punches he will start running around to get more comfortable, and I don\u2019t want him to be comfortable in the ring.\u00a0 If I can move and make him miss and then cut off the ring then he will feel uncomfortable in there.\u00a0 Sooner or later he is going to start to think; what have I gotten myself into?<\/p>\n

RR: Throughout your career you have always been a very smart, cerebral fighter.\u00a0 Often times in other sports those kinds of athletes go into coaching.\u00a0 Have you considered becoming a trainer after your days as a fighter have ended?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I have been thinking about it.\u00a0 You know, I have been doing this so many times for so many years.\u00a0 I\u2019m trying to get out as soon as possible; hopefully this is my last hurrah here in this championship fight.\u00a0 After that I would like to go back and train young kids and get involved with the community and helping to take kids off the street and bring them in to the gym and let them go through what I went through where it got me away from the drugs.\u00a0 It builds character when you are in the ring and also in the gym with the guys.\u00a0 It helps to build your confidence up.\u00a0 Boxing helps people.\u00a0 People see boxing as a brutal sport, but at the same time they need to see the opposite side where it helps a lot of guys get off the streets.<\/p>\n

RR: PED\u2019s have become a huge story in boxing recently with the firestorm of controversy surrounding the potential mega fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.\u00a0 Unfortunately, you have some firsthand experience with this issue; we are referring of course to James Toney testing positive for a banned substance after fighting you in 2005.\u00a0 In your opinion, how widespread is the problem of PED\u2019s in boxing right now?<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s everywhere.\u00a0 It seems like it is touching every sport.\u00a0 It is sad to see when people depend on a drug to perform better instead of just using their natural talent.\u00a0 As you said, I have been through it with James Toney.\u00a0 It\u2019s funny, it seems like every bad thing has managed to touch my career; I attract the worst things in life in a way.\u00a0 Thank goodness I\u2019m getting rid of all that crap, in a way.\u00a0 And especially steroids which have been used so many times before, and it\u2019s sad when a guy like myself goes in there for the fight of his life and a lot of times his opponent is taking steroids and it\u2019s helping his performance.\u00a0 That means a lot because boxing is a sport where you are as good as your last fight.\u00a0 And, if you lose and then the other guy tests positive, people don\u2019t care about that they only care about how you lost.\u00a0 It hurts your career, it definitely hurt mine and there is no way I can go back and repair it.<\/p>\n

RR: Steroids are often used to get bigger, but there is definitely a school of thought that says getting bigger won\u2019t really help in boxing.\u00a0 Does it help to get bigger as a boxer?<\/strong><\/p>\n

What it does is help you to train harder.\u00a0 The better you train the better you fight.\u00a0 That\u2019s what it does, it helps you train as hard as you can and come fight time it definitely helps you out.\u00a0 In the lighter divisions, it doesn\u2019t necessarily pack on the weight.\u00a0 Sometimes steroids are used to lean you down and they make you work harder.\u00a0 You can then stay in the same weight class or you can move up, so it helps those guys moving up into other weight classes.\u00a0 So, you can keep moving up and using steroids to build more muscle.\u00a0 Sometimes when you see guys gaining weight you can see a little baby fat, but with steroids it\u2019s more lean muscle which allows you to move up further in weight.\u00a0 It is definitely a drug that helps the person taking it, but at the same time it\u2019s also killing the sport.<\/p>\n

RR: Finally, once again you have the fight for the WBA Title on April 3rd in Manchester, England against David Haye.\u00a0 I want to give you one last chance to address the fans on what they can expect to see that night?<\/strong><\/p>\n

First of all, I just want to say thank you to all of my fans who have been through this roller coaster with me.\u00a0 The fight on April 3rd is going to be a great fight.\u00a0 It\u2019s going to be a chess match where you just never know who is going to win.\u00a0 I just want to thank everybody again, and it\u2019s been a long road for me.\u00a0 I\u2019m hoping to get my fans out there.\u00a0 This could be my last hurrah so hopefully they can cheer me on and I can become a three time world champion.\u00a0 Then I can move on with my career and after that just go out and enjoy life.<\/p>\n

John Ruiz<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nickname:\u00a0 “The Quietman”<\/p>\n

Professional Record:\u00a0 44-8-1, 30 KO’s\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Division:\u00a0\u00a0 Heavyweight<\/p>\n

Date\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Opponent\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W-L-D\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Location\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Result<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

1992-08-20 Kevin Parker\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2-0-1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Atlantic City, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W UD\u00a0\u00a0 4<\/p>\n

1992-09-12 Mike Vasser\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 0-0-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Revere, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W KO\u00a0\u00a0 1<\/p>\n

1992-11-03 Barry Kirton\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5-4-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mashantucket, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W TKO\u00a0 2<\/p>\n

1992-11-13 John Basil Jackson\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 0-8-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Revere, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W PTS\u00a0 6<\/p>\n

1992-12-10 Jesus Rohena\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1-6-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Boston, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W TKO\u00a0 1<\/p>\n

1993-01-16 John Basil Jackson\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 0-9-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Belmont, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W PTS\u00a0 6<\/p>\n

1993-01-30 Miguel Rosa\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 4-18-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Chelsea, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W TKO\u00a0 2<\/p>\n

1993-02-20 Phil Prince\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1-5-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Boston, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W KO\u00a0\u00a0 1<\/p>\n

1993-03-05 Derrick Jones\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 0-0-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Boston, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W TKO\u00a0 1<\/p>\n

1993-03-20 Lorenzo Poole\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 0-3-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Revere, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W KO\u00a0\u00a0 1<\/p>\n

1993-04-03 Juan Quintana\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6-25-2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Somerville, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W PTS\u00a0 6<\/p>\n

1993-04-16 Mark Sonnier\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3-2-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Boston, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W TKO\u00a0 1<\/p>\n

1993-04-30 George Chambers\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 0-0-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Chelsea, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W KO\u00a0\u00a0 1<\/p>\n

1993-06-25 Exum Speight\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5-7-1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Chelsea, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W UD\u00a0\u00a0 8<\/p>\n

1993-08-12 Sergei Kobozev\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 15-0-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bay Saint Louis, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 L SD\u00a0 10<\/p>\n

1993-11-03 Cordwell Hylton\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 26-34-2\u00a0\u00a0 Bristol, United Kingdom\u00a0\u00a0 W PTS\u00a0 6<\/p>\n

1993-11-27 Carl Williams\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 14-14-0\u00a0\u00a0 Cleveland, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W PTS\u00a0 6<\/p>\n

1994-05-25 Julius Francis\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6-0-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bristol, United Kingdom\u00a0\u00a0 W KO\u00a0\u00a0 4<\/p>\n

1994-06-25 Muhammad Askai\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 0-7-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Revere, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W TKO\u00a0 2<\/p>\n

1994-08-04 Danell Nicholson\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 15-1-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mashantucket, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 L SD\u00a0 12<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 vacant International Boxing Organization Heavyweight Title<\/p>\n

1994-10-01 Rick Sullivan\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3-3-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Boston, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W KO\u00a0\u00a0 2<\/p>\n

1995-02-04 Boris Powell\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 23-0-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Las Vegas, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W UD\u00a0 10<\/p>\n

1995-03-30 Jack Basting\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 21-10-0\u00a0\u00a0 Bethnal Green, United Kin W TKO\u00a0 1<\/p>\n

1995-05-17 Michael Murray\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 12-7-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ipswich, United Kingdom\u00a0\u00a0 W TKO\u00a0 4<\/p>\n

1995-06-16 Derrick Roddy\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 15-4-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Southwark, United Kingdom W KO\u00a0\u00a0 2<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 vacant WBC International Heavyweight Title<\/p>\n

1995-08-24 Willie Jackson\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10-3-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Somerville, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W KO\u00a0\u00a0 1<\/p>\n

1995-10-07 Steve Pannell\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 18-2-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Atlantic City, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W TKO\u00a0 4<\/p>\n

1996-03-15 David Tua\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 22-0-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Atlantic City, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 L KO\u00a0\u00a0 1<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WBC International Heavyweight Title<\/p>\n

1996-06-06 Doug Davis\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 7-17-1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Boston, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W TKO\u00a0 6<\/p>\n

1996-07-18 Greg Pickrom\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9-1-1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Boston, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W TKO\u00a0 1<\/p>\n

1996-10-25 Nathaniel Fitch\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 12-15-0\u00a0\u00a0 Boston, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W TKO\u00a0 3<\/p>\n

1996-11-26 Yuri Yelistratov\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10-3-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bethnal Green, United Kin W TKO\u00a0 3<\/p>\n

1997-01-14 Jimmy Thunder\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 31-6-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kansas City, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W SD\u00a0 12<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 vacant NABF Heavyweight Title<\/p>\n

1997-06-17 Ray Anis\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 24-3-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bay Saint Louis, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W TKO\u00a0 1<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 NABF Heavyweight Title<\/p>\n

1998-01-31 Tony Tucker\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 57-6-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tampa, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W TKO 11<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 NABF Heavyweight Title<\/p>\n

1998-09-19 Jerry Ballard\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 19-1-1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Atlanta, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W TKO\u00a0 4<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 NABF Heavyweight Title<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 vacant NABA Heavyweight Title<\/p>\n

1999-03-13 Mario Cawley\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 21-1-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 New York, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W TKO\u00a0 4<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 NABA Heavyweight Title<\/p>\n

1999-06-12 Fernely Feliz\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 16-1-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wilmington, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W TKO\u00a0 7<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 NABA Heavyweight Title<\/p>\n

1999-12-11 Thomas Williams\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 25-6-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tunica, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W TKO\u00a0 2<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 NABA Heavyweight Title<\/p>\n

2000-08-12 Evander Holyfield\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 36-4-1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Las Vegas, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 L UD\u00a0 12<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 vacant WBA World Heavyweight Title<\/p>\n

2001-03-03 Evander Holyfield\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 37-4-1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Las Vegas, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W UD\u00a0 12<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WBA World Heavyweight Title<\/p>\n

2001-12-15 Evander Holyfield\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 37-5-1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mashantucket, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 D PTS 12<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WBA World Heavyweight Title<\/p>\n

2002-07-27 Kirk Johnson\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 32-0-1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Las Vegas, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W DQ\u00a0 10<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WBA World Heavyweight Title<\/p>\n

2003-03-01 Roy Jones Jr\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 47-1-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Las Vegas, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 L UD\u00a0 12<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WBA World Heavyweight Title<\/p>\n

2003-12-13 Hasim Rahman\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 35-4-1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Atlantic City, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W UD\u00a0 12<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WBA World Heavyweight Title<\/p>\n

2004-04-17 Fres Oquendo\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 24-2-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 New York, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W TKO 11<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WBA World Heavyweight Title<\/p>\n

2004-11-13 Andrew Golota\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 38-4-1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 New York, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W UD\u00a0 12<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WBA World Heavyweight Title<\/p>\n

2005-04-30 James Toney\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 68-4-2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 New York, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 NC ND\u00a0 12<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WBA World Heavyweight Title<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 International Boxing Association Heavyweight Title<\/p>\n

2005-12-17 Nikolay Valuev\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 42-0-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prenzlauer Berg, Germany\u00a0 L MD\u00a0 12<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WBA World Heavyweight Title<\/p>\n

2006-11-18 Ruslan Chagaev\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 21-0-1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 D\u00fcsseldorf, Germany\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 L SD\u00a0 12<\/p>\n

2007-10-13 Otis Tisdale\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 25-18-1\u00a0\u00a0 Hoffman Estates, USA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W TKO\u00a0 2<\/p>\n

2008-03-08 Jameel McCline\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 38-8-3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cancun, Mexico\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 W UD\u00a0 12<\/p>\n

2008-08-30 Nikolay Valuev\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 48-1-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prenzlauer Berg, Germany\u00a0 L UD\u00a0 12<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 vacant WBA World Heavyweight Title<\/p>\n

2009-11-07 Adnan Serin\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 19-10-1\u00a0\u00a0 Nuremberg (N\u00fcrnberg), Ge W TKO\u00a0 7<\/p>\n

Advertise Now On RSR<\/a><\/p>\n

Purchase Boxing Interviews Of A Lifetime<\/a><\/p>\n

Watch The Trailer For Family Secret<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Interview by Jeff Stoyanoff and Mike Zepeda \u201cPeople see boxing as a brutal sport, but at the same time they need to see the opposite side where it helps a lot of guys get off the streets.\u201d \u2013 John Ruiz Even John Ruiz himself is aware that he is likely coming to the end of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[105,152,190,398,753],"class_list":["post-1522","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-boxing-news","tag-boxing","tag-champion","tag-david-haye","tag-john-ruiz","tag-wba-heavyweight"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1522","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1522"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1522\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1522"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1522"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1522"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}