Johnny Ruiz

bigben · 12-15-05, 03:39 AM

Ruiz prepares to fight 'Beast from the East'

BERLIN — WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz should have no problem finding challenger Nikolay Valuev — a 7-footer weighing 330 pounds.
"He's got a head the size of a Volkswagen," Ruiz said Wednesday. "I can't miss hitting him."
Dubbed "The Beast from the East," Valuev is 43-0 and will be the tallest and heaviest champion of all time if he beats Ruiz (42-5-1) on Saturday night.
The American, despite wins against former champions Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Andrew Golota, said beating Valuev will earn him the respect he believes he's due.
"This is an important fight for me, because after this guy it's going to be a unification fight — and I'm the best guy to win unification," Ruiz said. "They'll be talking about me a lot more if I beat this guy."
Rahman was given the WBC title after Vitali Klitschko retired last month because of injuries.
Don King is promoting the fight Saturday, an unlikely prospect a decade ago when Valuev traveled around Russia beating up people for minuscule purses.
"I was a very experienced fighter — all I needed was a good promoter," Valuev said.
The 32-year-old former basketball player and discus thrower found his promoter two years ago when he twice boxed on the undercard of two fights staged by Wilfried Sauerland in Germany.
Valuev's third-round knockout of Clifford Etienne was followed in October by a disputed decision against Larry Donald, which earned him the title shot.
The 6-foot-2 Ruiz, who fights at about 240 pounds, says he won't change tactics to compensate for Valuev's height advantage.
"No doubt this will be a hard fight, but I've overcome situations like this before," Ruiz said.
Valuev has a reputation of being mobile for his size, but without a big punch despite his 31 knockouts.
The Russian insists Ruiz's grab-and-hold tactics, used since David Tua knocked him out inside a minute in 1996 — won't work this time.
"I won't give him the chance," Valuev said. "I always use my height — I see no reason it should be different this time."
About 9,000 of the 10,000 tickets have been sold for the bout. Muhammad Ali's daughter, Laila, will fight on the undercard against Asa Sandell of Sweden.

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Tommy · 12-15-05, 05:50 AM

Should be a good one I have always liked Ruiz

bigben · 12-15-05, 09:56 AM

Johnny grew up and born in city next to me
here in mass called chelsea mass about 4 miles from
my area.

naught33 · 12-15-05, 08:47 PM

Ruiz is horrible, such an embarrassment to boxing that he has a title belt..

bigben · 12-16-05, 03:42 PM

well ya know look around closely and really see who is embarrasing
in boxing yah think we are in the glory days here boxing i goooo way back
in boxing when boxing was boxing from the 50s on up for many many years
the guy i have here in my icon the rock was undefeated 49-0 i believe.
Years ago in each division there were many great fighters its was
unbelievable when a guy was crowned the champ he certainly was the champ
considering who he had to beat to get there.
Ben

just to name a few here rocky graziano, jake lamotta , sugar ray robinson
tony zale. gene fullmer on and on it goes

12-15-05, 03:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
bigben SCI Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,024	Johnny Ruiz Ruiz prepares to fight 'Beast from the East' BERLIN — WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz should have no problem finding challenger Nikolay Valuev — a 7-footer weighing 330 pounds. "He's got a head the size of a Volkswagen," Ruiz said Wednesday. "I can't miss hitting him." Dubbed "The Beast from the East," Valuev is 43-0 and will be the tallest and heaviest champion of all time if he beats Ruiz (42-5-1) on Saturday night. The American, despite wins against former champions Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Andrew Golota, said beating Valuev will earn him the respect he believes he's due. "This is an important fight for me, because after this guy it's going to be a unification fight — and I'm the best guy to win unification," Ruiz said. "They'll be talking about me a lot more if I beat this guy." Rahman was given the WBC title after Vitali Klitschko retired last month because of injuries. Don King is promoting the fight Saturday, an unlikely prospect a decade ago when Valuev traveled around Russia beating up people for minuscule purses. "I was a very experienced fighter — all I needed was a good promoter," Valuev said. The 32-year-old former basketball player and discus thrower found his promoter two years ago when he twice boxed on the undercard of two fights staged by Wilfried Sauerland in Germany. Valuev's third-round knockout of Clifford Etienne was followed in October by a disputed decision against Larry Donald, which earned him the title shot. The 6-foot-2 Ruiz, who fights at about 240 pounds, says he won't change tactics to compensate for Valuev's height advantage. "No doubt this will be a hard fight, but I've overcome situations like this before," Ruiz said. Valuev has a reputation of being mobile for his size, but without a big punch despite his 31 knockouts. The Russian insists Ruiz's grab-and-hold tactics, used since David Tua knocked him out inside a minute in 1996 — won't work this time. "I won't give him the chance," Valuev said. "I always use my height — I see no reason it should be different this time." About 9,000 of the 10,000 tickets have been sold for the bout. Muhammad Ali's daughter, Laila, will fight on the undercard against Asa Sandell of Sweden. . __________________ Ben
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12-15-05, 05:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tommy Now go get your shinebox Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sportscapper Island Posts: 15,109	Should be a good one I have always liked Ruiz
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12-15-05, 09:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
bigben SCI Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,024	Johnny grew up and born in city next to me here in mass called chelsea mass about 4 miles from my area. __________________ Ben Last edited by bigben : 12-16-05 at 08:09 PM.
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12-15-05, 08:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
naught33 SCI Forum Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Scarsdale, NY Posts: 13,666	Ruiz is horrible, such an embarrassment to boxing that he has a title belt.. __________________ -naught33 "You miss 100% of all the shots you don't take"-Wayne Gretzky "No one, and I mean no one, comes into our house and pushes us around"-coach from the movie Rudy
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12-16-05, 03:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
bigben SCI Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,024	well ya know look around closely and really see who is embarrasing in boxing yah think we are in the glory days here boxing i goooo way back in boxing when boxing was boxing from the 50s on up for many many years the guy i have here in my icon the rock was undefeated 49-0 i believe. Years ago in each division there were many great fighters its was unbelievable when a guy was crowned the champ he certainly was the champ considering who he had to beat to get there. Ben just to name a few here rocky graziano, jake lamotta , sugar ray robinson tony zale. gene fullmer on and on it goes __________________ Ben Last edited by bigben : 12-16-05 at 08:12 PM.
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