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Ruiz on call and ready to rock
May 8, 2008 |
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LAS VEGAS (May 8, 2008) – Former two-time WBA
heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz has announced that he’s
prepared to replace WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev to fight another
former WBA title-holder, Nikolay Valuev, for the WBA belt.
Chagaev pulled out of his scheduled mandatory defense against Valuev in May,
reportedly due to a cold that forced him to break training, but Ruslan
hasn’t made his initial mandatory defense since capturing the WBA belt on
April 14, 2007 via a 12-round majority decision versus Valuev. His only
title defense was a voluntary fight this past January in a 12-round decision
against Matt Skelton. WBA champions are required to make a mandatory defense
within a year of winning the belt and/or last mandatory defense. Chagaev is
officially over the deadline and seeking further delays.
“We have to respect mandatory defenses and if Chagaev isn’t willing or able
to fulfill his obligation as champion,” WBA No. 2 rated Ruiz said, “he
should step aside so the WBA can move forward instead of standing still.
There’s so much speculation about Chagaev. First there was Hepatitis B and
now another viral infection – it must have moved from his intestines to his
throat – and nobody really knows when or if he’ll be able to fight again. We
will be filing a letter of petition with the WBA to strip Chagaev and order
a fight between me and Valuev for the WBA title.”
Ruiz is also rated No. 3 by the WBC, No. 6 by the IBF, No. 10 by The Ring
magazine, and No. 12 by the WBO.
“The heavyweight division drives boxing,” Ruiz added. “Fans are waiting for
things to explode, but it seems like the heavyweight champions are holding
the title belts hostage. They’re all tied up and don’t want to fight the
best heavyweights. No wonder fans criticize heavyweights. I’m ready to
clean-up the division and willing to fight any of the world champs or top
contenders. How long do I have to wait for my title shot?”
Ruiz is the first and only Latino heavyweight champion of the world. He has
fought in 10 world championship fights and defeated three world heavyweight
champions -- Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker – as well as
top contenders such as Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo, Kirk Johnson and Jameel
McCline during his 15-year pro career. |
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