LAS VEGAS (September 8, 2008) – Two-time World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (43-8-1, 29 KOs), as well as his advisor/attorney Tony Cardinale and head trainer Manny Siaca, Sr., believe they faced sizable unfair disadvantages August 30 fighting Nikolai Valuev (49-1, 34 KOs) for the WBA heavyweight title in Berlin. Valuev recaptured the WBA belt by way of a 12-round decision clouded in controversy. Team Ruiz is demanding a full videotape of Valuev-Ruiz II to further review for evidence of alleged corrupt practices..
Points of contention include the following issues:
1. Judge Takeshi Shimakawa improperly kept a running score during the fight, which is prohibited by the WBA, as well as the only way he could have “corrected” his scorecard after the scores were announced (Shimakawa’s scoring changed from 114-113 in favor of Ruiz to 114-113 for Valuev.
2. Ruiz was not credited with a legitimate knockdown when he floored Valuev in the second round. Ruiz blasted Valuev with punches, knocking “The Giant” into the ropes, but the referee incorrectly ruled a slip when Valuev’s knee hit the canvas after he careened off of the ropes. Scoring that round would have been different, in Ruiz’ favor, if it was ruled a knockdown.
3. Judge Antonio Requena scored two rounds even, despite WBA instructions that there should be no even rounds scored in championship bouts. Ruiz would have been declared the winner if the two even rounds had been awarded to Ruiz in addition to the aforementioned second round scoring snafu being sorted out.
4. Most importantly, throughout the fight Valuev’s cornermen received judges’ scoring results as the rounds went on, something that happens regularly only in Germany, yet clearly constitutes major corruption in boxing.
In addition to demanding a full videotape of the fight for review, Team Ruiz plans to petition the WBA to rule the bout a no-contest and Valuev be stripped of the WBA title for a blatant violation of WBA rules. Team Ruiz will also seek sanctions against any officials involved in permitting these violations to happen, whether it’s enforced by the WBA or German Boxing Federation.
“The WBA needs to resolve this matter as quickly as possible,” Ruiz said. “Non-officials are not allowed to handle or read scorecards during the fight. Valuev should be stripped and a rematch ordered. It seems like everything possible has happened to me in boxing. Whether it was defending my title by disqualification (Kirk Johnson), my opponent testing positive for steroids (James Toney), or scores changed after a fight like this. It was chaotic after the fight. With all of the confusion going on, at one point while waiting to hear the results, I thought I was in Florida and the ‘hanging chads’ during the 2000 election.
“The WBA must investigate the judges and who was running the show, Sauerland. Everything was very weird at the end of the fight. The German people are wonderful and they’ve treated me very well each time I’ve fought there. They cheered loudly after the fight, but only when Valuev announced he was going to give me a rematch (He has since changed his tune and is talking about fighting an unnamed opponent in December.) They should hold Sauerland and the German Boxing Federation accountable. The great German boxing fans deserve much better. Things have to change in Germany, where everybody knows foreigners don’t have a chance of winning a close decision. I’m terribly disappointed with what went on over there. Boxing suffered another black eye.”
The Puerto Rican-American Ruiz is the first and only Latino heavyweight champion of the world. He has fought in 10 world championship fights and defeated 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 Jameel McCline during his 15-year pro career.
Mercer Calls Out Haye
After a spectacular display of fistic fireworks this past weekend that saw Merciless Ray Mercer (36-7-1, 26 KO’s) defeat the monstrous Richel Hersisia (30-3, 24 KO’s) in Karlstad, Sweden, Mercer is ready to dust off another rising heavyweight star in David “The Hayemaker” Haye (21-1, 20 KO’s) as soon as possible. “I just defeated a fighter nearly thirteen years my junior,” said Mercer, “and I will school David Haye even more when we get in the ring.”
At the age of 47, 1988 Olympic Gold Medalist and former heavyweight champion has proven time and time again over his illustrious career that he will not only fight those willing to step in the ring with him, but he will span the globe, going into his opponent’s backyard to prove that age is nothing but a number. Throughout Mercer’s boxing career, he has fought from Hollywood, California to Hollywood, Florida, with his most recent fights taking him into arenas in Sweden, China, and back to Sweden. “David Haye has been running his mouth long enough,” said Mercer. “I’ll give you a fight and we’ll even come to you. Have your people call my people, and I’ll make your worst nightmare come true.”
After making quite an impression on the cruiserweight division Haye has been warning the boxing world of his inevitable move a pound north to the heavyweight division of, but with Mercer having faced the likes of Holmes, Holyfield, and Klitschko, as well as taking on and defeating hardened pugilists since splashing on to the boxing scene, Mercer knows he is the gatekeeper to boxing superstardom for fighters like the Hayemaker. “Haye has been shouting from the roof tops that he wants to fight the best. Well, here’s his chance,” said Mercer. “Here I am. The road to the top runs through me, and I’m ready to answer the call from David Haye.”
Haye is slated to fight in November in his hometown of London and with no opponent named yet, Mercer is ready to step in and make the fight happen in London town. Even though Haye has youth on his side, Mercer feels he has a leg up on the Hayemaker. “When I had twenty fights under my belt,” said Mercer “I had a similar record that Haye has now with just as many first round knockouts. However, I now have the hunger, desire, and experience that he’ll never have, and when that bells rings, he truly won’t know what hit him. I’ll show him what being ‘Merciless’ is all about.”
Mercer sees no reason why this fight can’t happen. He’s ready, willing, and able to be Haye’s next opponent, and while he feels the Hayemaker will stammer, Mercer is saying, “I hear London is wonderful in November!”
Sal Musumeci CEO/President of Final Forum, has been inundated with calls from promoters around the globe looking to make a fight with Ray, all offers are being considered, a call from Haye would without question be at the top of the list. “I would love the opportunity to bring a fight of this magnitude to London, the fans deserve to see great competitive heavyweight fights, with Ray you get nothing short of that from start to finish.” – Sal Musumeci
Velasquez Twins Ready For Vegas Spotlight
Golden Boy Promotions undefeated twin sensations, Carlos Ivan (8-0, 7 KO’s) and Juan Carlos (9-0, 5 KO’s) Velasquez make their way to the bright lights of Las Vegas when they square off against opponents later to be announced as both brothers will be featured on the undercard when Joel Casamayor battles Juan Manuel Marquez on September 13, 2008 coming to you live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
This marks the first time the hard-hitting brothers will be fighting in the city of Las Vegas, and both are excited to display their talents.
“My brother and I can’t wait to land in Las Vegas. Everyone knows that Las Vegas is the boxing capitol of the world. I feel my training and preparation for this fight has been fantastic. I’m eager to step in the ring and entertain the fans in attendance.” ~ Carlos Ivan Velasquez
“As a young fighter you always dream of fighting on the big stage in Las Vegas. I just know that I’m going to do my best to come out with the win. I’m very prepared for this fight and I’m confident that who ever they put in front of me I will defeat.” ~ Juan Carlos Velasquez
Tickets priced at $300, $200, $125 and $75 are on sale and may be purchased at any MGM Grand box office outlet and all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers and Macy’s West at the Fashion Show Mall). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
The Casamayor vs. Marquez pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $44.95, will be distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to 71 million pay-per-view homes. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Casamayor vs. Marquez fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.