RUIZ FIRES AWAY AT VITALI — DO YOU AGREE WITH HIS STATEMENT?
By Boxing News November 8th, 2005
By way of a press release, John Ruiz (or whoever wrote this for him) piled on Vitali Klitschko, who pulled out of his WBC heavyweight title fight with Hasim Rahman with a knee injury.
“I’m not surprised and I don’t think too many people in boxing are really surprised. First it was his hamstring injury from jogging, then it spread to his back, and now it’s his knee. It’s always something with this guy. They should really check his heart. HBO, Ring and anybody else that supports this guy as the so-called real heavyweight champion of the world should be ashamed of themselves. They have their own agendas. Klitschko doesn’t want to fight anybody he can’t handpick. Who has he ever beaten? World champions have to defend their title against the best opponents in the world. The WBC should strip him of the belt and award it to Rahman. Klitschko should pay Rahman for all of the time he’s wasted training. They had to force him to fight Rahman and he still pulled out. What does Klitschko mean in Russian, chicken? He quit on the stool with a shoulder injury against (Chris) Byrd in the 10th round of a 12-round fight that he was leading big. A doctor gave him approval to fight Rahman, but he chose not to fight. He’s tall, big and may look like a heavyweight champion. But he doesn’t have the heart and soul of a world champ. It’s not what’s on the outside, it’s what’s inside that counts.
Also…………
“I’ve never ducked anybody. Nobody ever had to force me to fight a mandatory. I’m going halfway around the world to fight a giant - one-foot taller and 100-pounds heavier than me - in his backyard because I’m a true world champion. Valuev is my mandatory and after I take care of that fight, I’m pushing hard once again for a tournament so the public will have one heavyweight champion. Klitschko’s the reason we haven’t had a tournament because he wants to pick and choose his opponents like (Danny) Williams, (Oleg) Maskaev or (Calvin) Brock), instead of putting his belt on the line against one of the other champions. If the WBC does the right thing and makes Rahman the new champion like he deserves, boxing will be able to have a tournament next year and the public will know who the real man is in the heavyweight division, John Ruiz. Compare my record to any of the other heavyweight champions.”
What do you think of that statement?
– Has Klitschko beaten only “handpicked” opponents?
– Should the WBC strip Klitschko of the belt and give it to Rahman?
– Does Ruiz’s record actually stack up favorably to the other heavyweight champions, as he contends?
Let us know.
November 8th, 2005 at 11:03 am
1. Yes
November 8th, 2005 at 11:06 am
1. Yes
2. Yes-this way Vitali will be put in the challengers position and be forced to earn his title back…its only fair. He has held the title too long without a defense. One defense a year is bad for boxing…two a year is bad for boxing. I think you should be required to defend a title at least 3 times a year.
3. No…Ruiz is a 3rd class fighter and a bum. When he gets destroyed by Valuev (who is nothing more than a sideshow freak), he needs to go away forever. Toney put him away one time, but Ruiz likes to claim that he won unfairly. Toney could weigh 350 pounds and still beat Ruiz with one arm.
November 8th, 2005 at 3:17 pm
I think John Ruiz as a champion is a joke for the heavyweight division. Andrew Golota was way too much for him to handle during their fight. The only way he got the decision was by grabbing on and holding the entire fight which he should have been disqualified for. In addition, getting beat by two light heavyweight fighters in the past three years sure doesn’t say much for his supposed legacy, lol. His last fight against James Toney where he was completely manhandled for 12 rounds, he couldn’t even make it past the postfight interview without having to announce his retirement. I truly don’t think he’s one to question any one else’s heart.
November 8th, 2005 at 3:43 pm
IF VITALI KLITSCHKO TURNED DOWN THE FIGHT AGAINST RAHMAN AFTER A DOCTOR APPROVED THE FIGHT THEN HE SHOULD BE STRIPPED OF THE TITLE AND CLAIM FORFEIT AGAINST VITALI AND THE TITLE SHOULD BE GIVEN TO RAHMAN…ALSO, THERE SHOULD BE A BOXING TOURNAMENT FOR THE BEST HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE…
November 8th, 2005 at 4:11 pm
I partly agree with Ruiz. If Klitschko doesn’t fight in 60 days, Rahman should be awarded the title. Although I think Klitschko is being pre-cautious about his injuries, Rahman is someone who shouldn’t be taken lightly. I think Vitali is training harder than ever and wants to be in perfect health and shape to take him on. You never want to take chances with an injury, minor or major! In 60 days we will see the outcome of this matter. I also think Ruiz is capable of fighting with the best heavyweights. He beat Rahman, and has a chance to be the WBC champion, unless James Toney has anything to do with it!
November 8th, 2005 at 6:36 pm
vitaliy needs to keep his belt when he recovers from his injury
November 8th, 2005 at 7:32 pm
He has beaten only handpicked opponents. His belt should be stripped from him. Ruiz is a joke; he is the worst boxing champion in the world. His belt should be destroyed.
November 8th, 2005 at 8:27 pm
John Ruiz is worthless.. He lost to Roy Jones? A fat James Toney? Neither one a true heavyweight. John Ruiz is a chump and a quitter. After the Toney fight he RETIRED -QUIT boxing because he lost like a little girl and cried and Quit. Until low and behold Toney took roids. Now John realized an opportunity to be the chump champ again, and came back - Wow. I can’t stand Ruiz (in case you have not noticed). For being the “quiet man” he sure whines a lot. In case Ruiz forgot Klitschko fought Lennox Lewis in an epic battle. Hand picked? Come on, Ruiz talks out of his ass. Klitschko was also a superheavyweight kickboxing champion. As far as I know Vitaly has never been down in a heavyweight fight. Unlike Ruiz who was diposed of in thirty or so seconds flat by the midget Tua. Compare records? Ruiz has five loses and probably should have ten. (It pays to have Don King in your corner.) Klitschko has two and I’m sure could avenge at least one of those given the opportunity. So NO Klitschko has not beaten only hand picked opponents. The WBC should wait to see what the knee specialist says then make a decision. If Vitaly can’t defend his title, Then absolutely YES strip him of his belt until he earns it back. If stripped the #1 and #2 guys should fight for it - don’t just give it to Rahman. As far as Ruiz’s record goes… please, there is no comparison. Just go away and join the WWE Ruiz. You and your dumpass trainer.
November 8th, 2005 at 11:18 pm
John Ruiz is the worst of the champs. He has been beaten twice by fighters, not even in his weight division. A real champion would have refused to take the title back after having it taken away by two light heavyweights and would have insisted on a rematch with Toney to get that one straight. I doubt he could beat Chris Byrd, who is just waiting to lose to anyone who’ll actually fight him, instead of allowing him to dance all night. They may still be BIG question marks, but the Klitschko brothers are the only heavyweights at the top of the heap right now that have both ability and a willingness to fight. If Ruiz wants to make all these big claims and critisize ANY other fighter, he really should try to avenge his losses to the little guys who took his title away. How could a real champ allow a title which was taken away the right way twice, be GIVEN back to him in both cases? What a wimp!
November 9th, 2005 at 3:20 am
Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. Whilst Ruiz is in no position to be taking shots at, Klitschko - who’s twice the fighter he is and would obliterate him in three rounds IMO, but that’s probably another discussion - Klitschko isn’t showing the heart you’d expect from a heavyweight right now. It could be a case of a little learning being a dangerous thing; Vitali’s PhD in Sports Science has probably given him too much information for comfort on how many brain cells he’d lose every time he stopped one of Rahman’s punches. He’s concentrating on the mechanics of the body rather than the overall point of the game, which is to fight and win. Treating his body like a Formula One car and retiring from the race every time the slightest thing goes wrong may make for a healthier retirement, but it hardly makes for a legendary champ.
Maybe Doctor Ironfist needs to concentrate a bit more on the Ironfist and a bit less on the Doctor. Many of us, in his position, might do the same thing, but ultimately if he doesn’t want to get hit, he’s in the wrong sport.
November 9th, 2005 at 4:14 am
1. ALL boxers hand pick their oponents - with the exception of certain “mandatory fights”. This one is not to Vitaly’s liking so he is bawking.
2. YES Vitaly should be forced to give up give his title to Rahman. He is mandated to fight him and does not seem willing or able. I have ALWAYS been a BIG Klitschko fan - BOTH brothers. But this is ridiculous - and fan or not - rules are rules. Either put it up - or give it up. Rahman should be the new champ.
3. Ruiz has a lot of confidence and he IS a titleholder. He fights his mandatories as he is doing next month. He is calling for a unification tournament where HE will be risking it all. Let his merits or demerits be determined in the ring - not here with name calling and insults.
He’s willing. So should we be.
November 9th, 2005 at 9:18 am
Ruiz has the right to voice his opinion even though it isn’t worth a grain of salt. He should be more concerned about his last several fights. Yeah he will get into the ring with anyone, but he doesn’t even attempt to win the fight. He is jealous that he doesn’t have the record of either Klitschko. Ruiz is like a gnat……he never goes away but should. I have been and will continue to be a Klitschko fan. I believe Vitali did have true injuries, the surgeries prove that the injuries are real. I give credit to Rahman for continuing to wait through each one. I feel that if Vitali cannot heal in the required time, then he may have to give up the belt…..or do what is seems he has done which is to retire. It makes perfect sense to “retire” a champion rather than be a “former” champion because the belt was stripped. I also agree that the top two challengers should fight for the belt. Vitali wasn’t given the belt when Lewis retired, he had to fight for it. I hope that Vitali will heal quickly and consider a come-back. No matter what happens to the belt now, I think that Rahman would still like to face Vitali in the ring………I think that an unresolved challenge would haunt both fighters and fans just like the Lewis rematch which never happened.
November 9th, 2005 at 9:31 am
John Ruiz although boring to watch has beat some top contenders. Vitali Klitschko claim to fame is a loss to Lennox Lewis. I don’t think he is ducking Rahman; however, under the circumstances he should not control the WBC without a legitimate title defence. The ranking systems themselves are corrupt and I can’t understand how some fighters get ranked above others. For example, I have no clue how Williamson was ranked ahead of Wladimir Klitschko and given a title shot vs Chris Byrd. By far Klitshko deserved the shot and after his defeat of a good young Samuel Peter I am confident Klitschko can become undisputed Heavyweight champ.
November 9th, 2005 at 12:03 pm
John Ruiz should not be talking. He is a paper champion who whines and cries everytime in the ring about either being headbutted or holding or his traininer, who is this guy? , he gets the title back because after getting his ass kicked again by another blown up middleweight and then Toney tests positive for roids. This guy is the biggest joke in boxing and I think Mr King should let this no talented boring ass fighter go back to whatever country he suppose to have come from.
November 9th, 2005 at 5:27 pm
John Ruiz is a bum. In my opinion the whole heavyweight division is a joke. I agree with John Ruiz, but he has no business saying that after he lost to a fat polar bear in James Toney. If they have a heavyweight tournament, James Toney will win if he’s in good shape. If he’s not, Lamon Brewster will win it
November 9th, 2005 at 6:49 pm
While it’s arguably true that John Ruiz has fought more viable contenders that Vitali Klitschko, the vast majority of them were close to or past their primes, and those that weren’t - beat him….Boxrec.com lists JR’s last 7 opponents as:
1. James Toney (Loss - by 5, 5 and 3 points);
2. Andew Golota (Debatable win against one of boxing’s most unstable contenders, certainly close to or on the way down);
3. Fres Oquendo (Another debatable 1-2 point win via clutchfest);
4. Hasim Rahman (Legit win, legit contender/champ as things stand today);
5. Roy Jones Jr. (Loss - by 4, 6 & 8 points to a fading light heavyweight he outweighed by more than 30 lbs);
6. Kirk Johnson (DQ win - Klitschko later KO’d KJ in 2 rds);
7. Evander Holyfield (Draw, win & loss against a rapidly fading EH, with the draw arguably a loss)
This is more of an indictment of the heavyweight landscape of recent years than a poke at Ruiz - there’s no one I’d pay any kind of money to watch in this division….but the bottom line is that I’d rather weed flower beds than watch another 12 round Ruiz slap and tickle fest…..
November 9th, 2005 at 7:56 pm
Personally, I’m sad to see the retirement of Vitali Klitschko. Like Lennox Lewis before him, he actually brought some credit back to boxing - unlike many previous champions.
As for Ruiz, most people would agree that he’s an absolute joke of a “champion”. Yes, he might be prepared to fight his mandatory challengers, but most of these are manipulated by Don King in the first place - as is the heavyweight division as a whole. For a champion who has lost twice now to middleweights, I only wish I’d have seen him in the ring again Lewis - then he’d have seen what a true champion really looks like.
November 9th, 2005 at 9:28 pm
Ruiz should honestly just shut up…. he is a 3rd rate boxer at best and always has been … he is finally going to get hit by a SERIOUS heavyweight when he fights Valuev in Germany in December and hopefully after he gets knocked out he will retire for good…. I believe that Vitali wants to step into the ring 100% because Rahman is a formidable opponent and does not want to have the same trouble that Lewis did in South Africa his first time around… I am confident that the fight will happen and when it does Rahman, Don King, and most importantly John “the not so quiet” Ruiz…. will finally all just SHUT UP!
November 10th, 2005 at 9:23 am
Jonny Ruiz is a joke just like the fact he can call himself a “3 time world champ”. It took him three times to beat an old Holyfield, got showed up against Jones Jnr and Toney. If he didn’t have the Don on his side he wouldn’t be anywhere now. Every heavyweight is wanting to fight Ruiz, ie Skelton, Mcbride, Valuev even Larry Donald, because they know it’s the easier way to becoming a “world” champ. Rahman should face another contender for the vacant belt rather than getting it without throwing a punch…. what do people out there think?
November 10th, 2005 at 11:48 am
WHO IS JOHN RUIZ? NOBODY!!! UNTIL HE FIGHTS JAMES TONEY OR BEATS A REAL HEAVYWEIGHT HE DOESN’T HAVE A LEG TO STAND ON. WHY WOULDN’T HE FIGHT TONEY? SEEMS TO ME A RUNNER SHOULDN’T TALK ABOUT ANOTHER RUNNER. THERE’S A REASON HE’S FIGHTING A NO-NAME .
November 10th, 2005 at 11:53 am
Two things … First, Ruiz should learn how to fight before he runs his hole about anybody in the heavyweight division. Second I believe the division lost a true spark to liven things up in boxing. We will never really be able to see what the true Vitali could become. I’m sure Don King is breathing a sigh of relief. Now he might be able to control all of the governing bodies again.
November 10th, 2005 at 9:36 pm
John Ruiz calling out ANYBODY is a joke. The guy thinks it’s a 16×16 dance floor, and he’s there to do a waltz with whoever happens to be in front of him. Ruiz got whacked around by a grossly puffed-up light heavy (Toney); and Jones also had an easy time with him. Big George Foreman or Larry Holmes could enter the ring next weekend and hand this guy his butt in 3 rounds or less. Out of the “paper champions” (Ruiz, Byrd, Brewster), I’d actually favor Tyson over Ruiz. Byrd has some skills when he gets off his bicycle, and Brewster not only shows flashes of early Tyson-like bad intentions, but has a pretty good chin. Ruiz? Come on, this clown’s a joke, and any title he holds is suspect. If Don King wasn’t involved, this candy-ass would have faded away years ago. Tyson finally realized he’d become a punchline, in more ways than one. Nobody even cares enough about Ruiz to make a joke. Hopefully, the “Quiet Man” will quietly fade away, and the title will go to someone who can fight, not tango. Oh, by the way, bring back 15 round championship fights. 12 just doesn’t do it.
November 12th, 2005 at 11:09 am
john ruiz is the most horrible so called champion i’ve seen since derrick gainer if you can remember who he is. when i say horrible i mean style wise. however, he knows how to use this style to win. and unlike vitali he has fought whoever was set before him, and never ducked anyone. he made it in boxing the hard wa, no handpicked fights, big entourage, flashy clothing, or big money fights. i can respect a man that has been beat by two middleweights and still shakes off the shame to do it over again. there is a sense of ethics in this ‘horrible’ fighter that vitali can’t represent. i believe giving ruiz all the support and money that vitali has he would hold his position with the puerto rican pride i know. yes, yes, yes, ruiz words should be heard and given respect. boxing should take note that the’horrible’ champ has more self-respect than this great white hope!
November 12th, 2005 at 1:11 pm
MANY OF THE 22 COMMENTS MADE AT THIS SITE ARE FROM PEOPLE WHO NO VERY LITTLE ABOUT WHAT GOES BEHIND THE CLOSE DOORS,JOHN RUIZ IS CALLING PEOPLE OUT JUST LIKE MIQUEL COTTO IS CALLING OUT MAYWEATHER AND NO BODY RESPONSE. WETHER THEY CAN FIGHT OR NOT THEY HAVE CERTAIN PROOF HATERS WRONG.
November 12th, 2005 at 4:12 pm
Who cares what John Ruiz is saying. The whole heavyweight division is a joke. There is no talent out there in this horrible division. Let’s boycott this division and demand good fights in the lower weight classes. The glory days of the heavies are gone. I rather watch a good lightweight fight anyday.
November 13th, 2005 at 3:59 am
No I dont think Klitchko should be stripped of the belt since he, like Lewis, retired as a champ. Lewis’ belt was then a vacant one where Vitali had to FIGHT for. The belt should become vacant and rahman should fight a no. 2 contender since HE was a no. 1. Klitchko is a great champ which made the right choice of retiring (temporarily) until he gets his health back. Then he can knockout Rahman. If Rahman is awarded the handed-down-belt, that makes him a lesser champ that most people criticize Klitchko to be. Rahman may have been busy fighting??? But with who?? Barrett?? That was a close decision. Meehan? Just a sparring partner for Brewster. Out of prime fighters like Holyfield and Tua. Not even then could he win a fight. Rahman should have to fight for the belt PERIOD!!! Maybe he can then win it and defend it more than once this time. And as for Ruiz? Come on. Who really wants to see another Ruiz fight? It seems the only one really doing the fighting in that corner is his trainer. WAH WAH WAH! Complaining about always being cheated.
November 13th, 2005 at 4:18 am
One more thing. Lets not forget Rahman’s loss to JOHN RUIZ?! And they want to make him THE CHAMP.
November 16th, 2005 at 7:36 am
No,
John Ruiz is wrong. Vitali is really hurt and was unable to box at the time. Vitali is not scare of any boxer in the heavy weight division. Vital Klitschko was truly a great champion for the few years he’s fought. Klitschko “vs” Rahman would have been a great fight. Hopefully his brother Wlad could fight Rahman and that will be a great match. Rahman should fight for the WBC heavyweight championship belt against the number 1 or 2 contender. Rahman should not have been handed the WBC belt just like that. Rahman did lose to John Ruiz .
November 16th, 2005 at 9:37 am
John Ruiz needs to stop and learn how to fight the smaller heavywieghts.The heavywieght division needs somebody young and is willing to fight all the time,and not just on pay per view.Byrd can’t beat Wladimir.Ruiz will get knocked out by Toney if they fight again.Brewster got lucky against Wladimir.Rahman does not have a good chin,examples Oleg,Lennox,Corrie,and Tua.So I wasn’t convinced he would beat Vitali.And Vitali needs to give up the belt,because all he did was hold it hostage.So a heavywieght tournament would be fine,but the 4 champions are all flawed.So boxing needs a young dominate champ,someone who will put butt’s in the seats.Someone who fights at least 4 times a year.
November 16th, 2005 at 8:28 pm
The Heavyweight division is full of stinkers and thats for real. Every single one of them have major flaws, let go through them all real quick. Klitschko, the best of all the bums, is retired and should stay retired. Chris Byrd has grown old and i think lost any spark he may have once had. Ruiz, sucks, flat out, sucks, I wish i could say it to his face. Rahman, has one big punch and he used up a few years ago. Toney the most skilled of all these guys, lacks the fire, if he had the fire, he would be in the best shape of his life and would have been afraid of going out there and putting a guy like Ruiz away in the first round. Brewster, another Jesus freak, thats exactly what we need a fearless, psycho who can punch, Brewster simply lacks the skills. The other Klitschko, chin. Peter like Rahman has a punch but no skill. Finally Calvin Brock, the guy I place the most hope in. If guy trains like HELL, he could very well be the best if the right fights come his way, BUT without having DON “BAD FOR BOXING” KING behind him, I see little chance for Brock to get a shot.
November 16th, 2005 at 8:33 pm
I should read these things over before sending. Rahman used his punch up. Toney would not be afraid to put Ruiz away early. Plus a couple of other typos, you get the point.
November 16th, 2005 at 11:11 pm
John Ruiz has only proven he can beat “has been’s.” He should also be the last person criticizing Vitali on his injuries, especially since he is the king of faking being hit by low blows while in a close fight. I’ll never forget the fight where he was laying in the middle of the canvas with his eyes closed for about 10 minutes pretending he had been hit by a low blow. The guy should consider acting instead of boxing.
December 19th, 2005 at 10:33 am
I hate john ruiz!! (as a fighter). He is hands down the worst, the lamest fighter I have ever seen in boxing … he disgraces the sport … anyone who think’s different should have their damn head examined!!! All that Vitali K. stuff he said It don’t matter, sure Rahman deserves to get the belt, but if Vitali would of ever fought Ruiz, Ruiz would have gotten his punk ass whooped! You know what, I think that the sport really need’s to get rid of this joker - fire his ass, do something! I don’t think Don King is a dumb guy at all - he must of been smoking some s*** when he signed Ruiz.
December 19th, 2005 at 7:24 pm
What others have said is correct. Ruiz has NO business running his mouth about other fighters when his entire career at the world class level is a fraud. Without Don King, he would never have become rated, and never received the multiple undeserved title shots and gift decisions he has. Refs wouldn’t have looked the other way while he violated the rules against excessive holding or let him get away with faking “low blows” as he did in several fights. Ruiz is probably the least talented fighter to ever hold a HW title belt, and if it were not for his connections to a powerful promoter he would never have become rated, let alone held a title. He is a prime example of the corruption that is ruining the sport!
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:17 pm
graduated from ukraine and i know this nation maybe better than u do ,,,they are cheaters and cowards ..its in their blood ,,,klitchko is loosing when he face real men in the ring ,,i think that they have to force him to face rahman