| |
SOMERVILLE, Mass. – Former World Boxing
Association heavyweight champion, John “The Quietman” Ruiz, has gone back to
his roots to prepare for his December 13 WBA “Interim” heavyweight title
fight against Hasim “The Rock” Rahman at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
Ruiz, 31, now lives in Las Vegas, but he has returned home to Massachusetts
for training camp. He’s running the same streets and hills in Chelsea, a
working class suburb of Boston where he grew up, and working out at the
nearby Somerville Boxing Club, where he first met his longtime manager,
Norman “Stoney” Stone.
After losing a 12-round decision and WBA title to Roy Jones this past March,
Ruiz (38-5-1, 27 KOs) took some time off to resolve personal problems, and
accepted an opportunity to replace David Tua against Rahman (35-5-1, 29
KOs). Team Ruiz decided to follow the same pattern and routine that led to
John capturing the WBA championship, as well as becoming the first (and
only) Latino heavyweight champion of the world, 2 ½ years ago with his
12-round decision against Evander Holyfield.
“It’s time for me to re-establish myself in the boxing world,” Ruiz said.
“This is a great opportunity for me. I’m ready. The heavyweight division is
wide open and I want to get back on the top where I was. We’ve come back to
train where we came from.”
One change in Team Ruiz, however, is head trainer Gabe LaMarca has retired.
Stone, who has served as manager and cut man, has replaced LaMarca as chief
second. Bobby Covino, Bryan Stone, Alex Rivera and Eddie Ruiz remain in
Ruiz’ corner. “We’re going to miss Gabe,” Stone noted. “He was an important
part of a our championship team, but Gabe retired and we have to move on.
Our promoter, Don King, has given us a great opportunity. Rahman’s a good
fighter, but John is ready for this challenge.”
The WBA has mandated that Jones face the Ruiz-Rahman winner or be stripped
of his title.
Ruiz-Rahman is part of “Back-to-Back-to-Back,” a pay-per-view blockbuster
promoted by Don King Promotions, featuring middleweight champions Bernard
Hopkins and William Joppy, welterweight title-holders Ricardo Mayorga and
Cory Spinks.
Tickets are priced at $600, $400, $250, $150, $100 and $50. In New England
contact Ann Cooper (617.797.2582) to order tickets. Elsewhere call DKP
Tickets (1-800.589.4860), TicketMaster (1.800.736.1420) or visit
www.ticketmaster.com. HBO Pay-Per-View will distribute
“Back-to-Back-to-Back.” |
|
