John “The Quietman” Ruiz gets heard by the WBA

The long arm of Cardinale strikes again.

The World Boxing Association’s Executive Board recently ruled in favor of two-time world heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (41-6-1, 28 KOs), regarding a dispute about the Universum-announced October 28th date for the WBA elimination fight between Ruiz and No. 2 rated challenger Russlan “White Tyson” Chagaev (21-0-1, 17 KOs), to determine the organization’s official No. 1 heavyweight contender.

Ruiz, rated No. 1 by the WBA, objected to the Oct. 28 date because it violated the WBA rule requiring a minimum of 45 days from the date of the purse bid before the fight may be held.

And his advisor/legal strategist Tony Cardinale, a Boston-based trial lawyer, is as good as it gets in the sport in dealing with matters such as these. After Cardinale lodged a protest, the WBA clarified the interpretation of its rule and informed Team Ruiz and Universum that, in order to waive the 45-day minimum, both fighters have to agree.

Universum, winner of the September 21 purse bid, last week announced at a press conference that the Ruiz-Chagaev elimination bout would be Oct. 28 in Germany.

Ruiz-Chagaev will not be held Oct. 28 unless a compromise is reached with Ruiz.

One question that goes unanswered: why did Ruiz retain Wilfried Sauerland as a co-manager if Sauerland allowed Universum to outbid him for the bout? The truth probably resides in the giant shadow of Nikolay Valuev; Valuev beat Ruiz to take the ‘BA belt in December and Sauerland reps Valuev…