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Ruiz heavyweight player again
LAS VEGAS (March 26, 2008) – Fresh off of his dominating performance against
four-time world title challenger Jameel “Big Time” McCline, two-time WBA
heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (43-7-1, 29 KOs) has fought
himself back into position for another world title shot.
A rejuvenated Ruiz won a lop-sided 12-round decision on March 8 in a near
shutout performance (119-109, 118-110, 117-111) against McCline, who is his
previous fight had three times floored Samuel Peter, the new WBC heavyweight
champion after stopping Oleg Maskaev on the same card in Cancun. (Judge
Julie Lederman, who scored 119-109 in favor of Ruiz, also had McCline losing
112-113 to Peter.)
The new Ruiz is similar to the vintage edition of the Puerto Rican/American
who first won the world title in 2001 with a 12-round decision against
legendary Evander Holyfield.
“I’m excited and looking forward to my next fight,” Ruiz said. “All of my
hard training paid off. (Ruiz weighed-in against McCline at his lightest in
five years, 233 lbs.) I’m much more confident fighting this time around. I’m
more aggressive than I’ve been in years, throwing more punches and
combinations. Everybody’s talking about Sam Peter being the best heavyweight
since Lennox Lewis. McCline almost finished off Peter and look what I did to
McCline. I’m back at the top of my game and I can beat anybody out there.
I’m still in the game; I will be a title holder again and try to unify the
titles.
“I’m encouraged by a lot of positive feedback I’ve gotten since the McCline
fight. I’m motivated more today than I ever was in the past. I changed my
whole crew, especially bringing in Manny Siaca, Sr. as head trainer, which
has helped me achieve the position I’m in, back on the right track. I’ve
been learning some new things with Manny. I feel like I’m almost starting
over again. I’m so excited. Manny has trained 28 world champs and I’m going
to be his 29th. What I’ve been through makes me want it more today. Working
with Manny has been a great opportunity for me to learn and put it into my
game. I’m mentally focused and I’ve been doing everything possible to be my
best.”
Ruiz, who has fought in 10 world championship fights, has beaten three world
heavyweight champions -- Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker –
as well as top contenders Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo, Kirk Johnson and
McCline during his 15-year pro career.
Ruiz-McCline was a WBC Qualifier with the winner promised the No. 3 spot in
the next ratings. Ruiz is ranked No. 2 in the WBA and cracked the WBO
ratings at No. 11.
“My fight against McCline showed I’m ready for anybody in the division,”
Ruiz added. “If any of the true world champions want to show what they’re
worth, let them prove it by fighting me, somebody who has never ducked an
opponent and with more world title fight experience than anybody. I’m ready
for any of the title-holders – (Wladimir) Klitschko, Peter, or the (Ruslan)
Chagaev-(Nikolay) Valuev winner. I’m back in the gym already getting
prepared for my next fight. I’m back!” |
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