LAS VEGAS (August 7, 2008) – Two-time World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (43-7-1, 29 KOs) has issued a challenge to his media critics regarding his style.
Over the years, Ruiz often has been criticized for his unpopular “clutch-and-grab” style, but in his last three fights with head trainer Manny Siaca, Sr. in his corner, “The Quietman” has returned to the aggressive fighter he was when he first won the heavyweight title in 2001. The problem is Ruiz’ last four fights, including his first against Valuev, have not been televised in the United States, although that hasn’t prevented critics from continuing to unfairly bash him.
The WBA vacated the title due to an injury to Ruslan Chagaev, declared him “champion in recess” and ruled that the top two rated contenders had to fight for the title. Ruiz, rated No. 2 by the WBA, leaves August 22nd for Germany once again to fight the 7-0, 320-pound giant who took his title belt 2 ½ years ago, No. 1 contender Nikolai Valuev (48-1, 34 KOs), on August 30 in Berlin for the WBA title.
“It’s sad to say but right after my last fight against (Jameel) McCline,” Ruiz said, “a reporter asked me about me going back to holding my opponent. It’s easy for them to say that because they think that’s my style. There are two fighters in the ring and I wasn’t the one holding. Reporters are just used it, I guess, but I’m challenging them to a bet. They can watch my last fight against McCline, as well as my first against Valuev, and then we can make a bet about who will hold more, me or Valuev. It can be by the round, or the entire fight; so much money per hold (differential), or a flat rate. If I hold more, I’ll make a donation to the charity of the reporter’s choice; if Valuev holds more, the reporter has to make a donation to my charity. They can have as many reporters as they want betting for what ever amount they can choose. I’m giving them a chance to put their money where their mouths are. Then, finally, they will realize that I don’t fight like I used to; no more clutching and grabbing for me.”
Ruiz has been sparring with a pair of 7-footers the past two weeks in Las Vegas, where John lives and trains, to prepare to fight Valuev on the road in The Giant’s backyard. “It’s been a great camp,” Ruiz remarked. “We’ve been working hard to make sure that I stay focused. There’s a lot less stress with Manny than at my old training camps. My sparring partners are working out good.
“I hope I don’t have to knockdown Valuev every round to get a split decision,” Ruiz joked. “I have to stay inside and busy, like in our last fight, but this time I need to throw better combinations and give him different angles. We don’t want to let him just stand still and throw punches. I’m going to make him move. I’ll be taking the fight to him, but more around him, to see what he can do when he has to move.”
The Puerto Rican-American Ruiz, living in Las Vegas, is the first and only Latino heavyweight champion of the world. He has fought in 10 world championship fights, defeating three world heavyweight champions — Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker – in addition to beating top contenders such as Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo, Kirk Johnson and McCline during his 15-year pro career.
3 big fights Highlight Blue Horizon card on September 12th
PHILADELPHIA (August 6, 2008)—On Friday night September 12th, The fall gets off to a blazing start as Vernoca L. Michael and Blue Horizon Boxing Promotions present an great night of boxing that will have not one, not two, but three big eight round fights that will highlight the packed card.
In one bout, Steve Upsher Chambers will take on the upset-minded Kevin Carmody in a Jr. Welterweight bout. The second bout will feature Israel knockout artist Ran Nakash against well regarded Larry Robinson. Finally, Legendary Blue Horizon mainstay, Gee Culmer and Jameel “Black Gold” Wilson get it on in a Super Middleweight fight.
This terrific night will be seen live all over the globe on www.gofightlive.tv
Chambers, 17-1-1 with five knockouts is starting to step out of the shadow of his brother, world-ranked Heavyweight “Fast” Eddie Chambers, as he continues to improve on all facets of his game.
Some of that was shown on June 6th when Chambers survived a early assault from Jaime Morales to come back and destroy Morales by unleashing thirty unanswered punches to stop Morales ninety-seven seconds into their bout.
Chambers has fought all but one of his fights at The Legendary Blue Horizon (17-1).
Carmody, 10-10-1 with one knockout is a typical Philadelphia fighter and he will fight anyone at anytime.
Carmody will be looking to play spoiler on September 12. That seems to be a game that Carmody likes to play as evidenced by his upset wins over Dave Evans (7-0-1), Cristian Lopez (16-0), Carlos Vinan (5-1), Frank O’Neal (8-0-2) in O’Neal’s hometown of Detroit.
Carmody, who will be making his first appearance at The Legendary Blue Horizon, will be itching to get back into the win column as he has dropped three straight, including a loss to sixty-six fight veteran Ricardo Medina, Vernon Paris (16-0) and most recently Orland Gonzalez (11-1-1) on June 20th.
Nakash, of Haifa, Israel has become a Blue Horizon favorite as he has scored explosive knockouts in his last two appearances at The Legendary Blue Horizon
He will be bringing in a record of 14-0 with ten knockouts, which includes five straight early wins.
In Nakash’s last outing he dusted off Martin Haag in four rounds in Germany on July 20th. On June 6th, Nakash drilled James Porter in two rounds at The Legendary Blue Horizon. On February 8th, Nakash viciously knocked out Ray Ruiz in two at The Blue Horizon.
Nakash is 5-0 with two knockouts at The Legendary Blue Horizon
Robinson, 10-3 with seven knockouts has become one of the most feared and talked about cruiserweights in the area.
The Philadelphia native is 4-0 against undefeated fighters. In his last fight, Robinson won a majority decision over the well regarded Simon “One Punch” Carr is a much anticipated South Philadelphia turf war on July 18th.
This will be Robinson’s second appearance in The Blue Horizon ring a he scored a unanimous decision over previously undefeated Jamaal “Da Gooch” Reed (3-0) on June 10th, 2005.
Culmer has a record of 14-1 with three knockouts & is unbeaten in his last ten fights (9-0, 1 NC) that spreads out over five years.
Culmer has been a mainstay at The Legendary Blue Horizon as his last nine fights have been at The Legendary Blue Horizon (8-0, 1 NC)
He is coming off a six round unanimous decision over Mustapha Johnson on April 11th at The Legendary Blue Horizon.
Wilson is desperate to get a win as he is winless in his last eleven fights (0-10-1) against grade “A” competition.
Wilson has been in the ring with the likes of James Lubwama (11-0), Tarvis Simms (17-0), former multiple time world title challenger Antwun Echols (30-5-1), Elvir Muriqi (34-4) & Rasheem Brown (18-3) to name a few.
Wilson’s last fight at The Blue Horizon was a great one as he defeated Patrick Perez (25-3) on January 16, 2004.
Wilson is 4-1 at The Legendary Blue Horizon.
A packed undercard has been put together & will feature featherweight, Jules Blackwell, 7-1-2 (2) looking to rebound from his first pro loss when he will take on an opponent to be named in a six round bout.
Derek Bivins of Philadelphia will be making his pro debut in a four round Featherweight bout.
Undefeated lightweight, Gerald Smith 3-0 (1) will see action in a four round bout.
Daryl Jones of Philadelphia will be making his pro debut in a Welterweight bout
Ticket prices for this great night of boxing are $200 for Queen Seating, $125 for Presidential seats, $65 for VIP, $55 for Ringside, and $45 for General Admission and can be purchased by calling The Legendary Blue Horizon at 1-215-763-0500 or by logging on to comcasttix.com. Doors open at 6:30 PM / 1st bout begins at 7:30 PM
The Legendary Blue Horizon is located at 1314 North Broad Street in Philadelphia, PA
For more information, log on to www.legendarybluehorizon.com
There will be a press conference on Wednesday, September 10 at the Legendary Blue Horizon.