Author: BOXEOMUNDIAL.COM
Date: 11/10/2009
“THE QUIETMAN” NEW FREE AGENT
LAS VEGAS – Two-time World Boxing
Association (W.B.A.) heavyweight champion JOHN “THE QUIETMAN” RUIZ is on a
mission to bring the world heavyweight title back to the
United States
next year and share the championship belt with his Latino fans once
again.
W.B.A. No. 1 contender Ruiz (44-8-1, 30
KOs), who had agreed with promoters of last Saturday’s championship bout --
defending champion Nicolai Valuev and challenger David “Hayemaker” Haye -- to
“step aside” as the W.B.A. “Official Challenger," earned his 12th world title
shot against new W.B.A. champion Haye (guaranteed by the end of May, 2010) with
his seventh-round stoppage of Adnan Serin in the seventh round of their
co-feature match.
Fighting for the first time in 14 months, as
well as with a new head trainer in Miguel Diaz, the 37-year-old Ruiz weighed in
at 226 pounds, his lightest in six years. Now a promotional free agent since his
contract with Don King recently expired, “The Quietman” was more mentally and
physically prepared for last weekend’s fight than he’s been since capturing his
first WBA crown in 2001 against Evander Holyfield.
Ruiz also displayed a much more fan-friendly
style against Serin – no holding, clutching or grabbing -- and he’s confident of
winning his third world title next year against Haye because of his experience
advantage and genuine toughness.
“I hadn’t fought in a long time and was kind
of anxious the first few rounds,” Ruiz spoke about his fight against Serin. “I
settled down and started putting my punches together. I’m looking forward to
fighting Haye and winning my third world title. I’m a free agent now and we’ll
be talking to some promoters. This is a good opportunity for me with a title
fight coming next year”.
Tony Cardinale, Ruiz’ manager/attorney,
believes Haye-Ruiz will be a more action-packed, interesting and entertaining
fight than either had against Valuev. “It’s difficult to look good against
Valuev,” Cardinale noted. “John scored considerably more in his two
controversial fights against Valuev than Haye. John chased Valuev around the
ring, not the other way around. His new trainers, Miguel Diaz and Richie
Sandoval, will put together an effective game plan for John. Without a doubt,
John Ruiz will be the toughest opponent Haye has ever
faced”.
Ruiz, the first and only world heavyweight
champion of Latino heritage, hopes his fight against Haye will land in
Las Vegas, but he’s also comfortable
fighting Haye in
England or
Germany. “I live
and train in Las Vegas,” he
explained, “so I’d love to fight there. But I’m 6-0 in
England and have
a good fan base in
Germany.
Wherever I fight, I need my fans to support me, especially Latinos from al over
the world”.
With a book about his life on the horizon,
Ruiz notes that the perfect final chapter would include a third world title.
“I’ve had an up-and-down career but it’s not over, yet. My life is good right
now; I’m in a comfort zone. I got back to the basics and improved my style,
earned another world title shot, and I’m a promotional free agent. I want to win
another world title for my family and fans. I had fun celebrating Saturday
night’s win at a cigar bar with my team and wife, Maribel. But the real party
will be next year when I get my belt back. I’m a true fighter and David Haye’s
going to find that out in the ring”.
Uruguay
Venezuela