Ruiz/Chagaev All Set For Germany
By Michael Woods September 28th, 2006John Ruiz/Ruslan Chagaev fight for a shot a Nikolay Valuev
John Ruiz will fight Ruslan Chagaev on Nov. 18 in a World Boxing Association elimination bout at Dusseldorf, Germany.
German promoter Peter Kohl wanted an Oct. 28 date, but Ruiz’s lawyer, Tony Cardinale, contested the date, saying Ruiz is entitled to at least 45 days notice, as mandated by the WBA, Ron Borges reports in the Boston Globe.
The winner could get a crack at WBA champion Nikolay Valuev, the Russian who defeated Ruiz in a controversial decision last December in Berlin.
The 34-year-old Ruiz (41-6-1, 28 KOs), who hasn’t fought in nearly 10 months and hasn’t won in almost two years, gets a little extra time to shed ring rust, so the news is good for him. The bad news: the bout is overseas, and a KO is the only result that will insure Ruiz a fair shake from the officials over there, cynics would argue.
Chagaev, 27, is 21-0-1, 17 KOs, and is one of the spate of Eastern Euro paleskins who have made heavyweight fans sit up and take notice in the last year. He’ll be on track to separate himself from the other Timors, Sultans, Vladimir and Alexanders…
September 28th, 2006 at 8:54 pm
who cares about this fight both fighters are just a step above jorneyman status.ruiz cant even get a deal from american cable to show his fights.nobody cares in the u.s about this fight or the outcome.james toney is the best american heavyweight.with klitchko being the best overall.thanx
September 29th, 2006 at 3:17 am
Cynics could argue there are as many contentious decisions in American rings as European ones.
And the term ’spate’ seems a somewhat negative collective noun for earnest, hard working European heavyweights.
Would I be allowed to comment on a ’spate’ of ‘dark-skinned’ heavyweights from America?
I’m a man of the world, and not usually a fan of political correctness, but the tone here struck me as unpleasant. I’m sure it was accidental.
On the boxing front; Ruiz is a poor technician but he fights the opponents nominated, has been willing to offer rematches, travel and compete and deserves some credit for raising himself from the mauling Tua gave him, and the humiliation of the Jones fight to regroup and make inroads into the heavyweight picture.
I dont like his style, and I didn’t like him feigning low blows. But largely he’s worked hard and fought anyone.
September 29th, 2006 at 10:58 am
Payne’s observations about Ruiz are by and large correct. Ruiz comes in fit and ready and even when he loses ; keeps fighting to the last. The man is not colorful but certainly he is no pushover and deserves some credit for his toughness and for taking some risks. He has come very far even if he has limited talent.
Every time I think of physical giant and gifted fighters like Golota/McCline/Audley Harrison; and how their own weaknesses are causing their careers to fizzle out; I think of Ruiz at the other end of the spectrum.
However he will need to continue his defensive ways to beat the very strong Chagaev. These are not journeymen; these guys are clearly contenders.
September 29th, 2006 at 5:33 pm
This fight will contain more clinching than punching
September 29th, 2006 at 8:54 pm
Chagaev’s team needs to be concerned about the clinching. Or else Chagaev’s
going to be in for a long night. I think Chagaev will defeat the quiet man even if Ruiz holds. The point is Boxers need to be concerned about looking good. A KO win might be possible for Chagaev if his team does their job by getting the ref’s ear. If they don’t Ruiz could make Chagaev look real bad by holding and clinching the entire fight.