 |
|||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Defeats Evander Holyfield to become the first Latino Heavyweight champion. "It means a great deal to me, not only being the world champion, but also being from Latin heritage. Its a great, great pleasure for me - a great joy and great honor," John Ruiz.
This was the second time Ruiz and Holyfield meet up. The first fight, Ruiz lost on a close decision when they met in August 2000. While it was clear that Ruiz should have won the fight, many didn't believe in Ruiz's boxing ability and thought the rematch would be a quick, easy fight for Holyfield. Even the outspoken, Don King - who promotes John Ruiz - said "Don't get out of your seat, this might be a easy night for Holyfield." The rematch was anything but easy for either boxer. It was an ugly fist-fight filled with fouls, head butts, elbows and grabbing -- a lot of grabbing. John Ruiz fought valiantly and was determined to take what many felt was his in the first place -- The WBA Heavyweight Title. In a fight which sometimes resembled a wrestling match, John Ruiz with his awkward style of boxing, had Holyfield off sync and he wasn't able to land the clean, strong punches to really hurt Ruiz. Ruiz on the other hand, landed his great jab all night, then followed it up with combinations and uppercuts that staggered the ex-champion. That same technique enabled Ruiz to put Holyfield down in the 11th round for one of the few times in his career. Holyfield got up but desperately hung on to Ruiz the rest of the round, at one point grabbing him around the waist and stumbling all the way across the ring hanging on so he wouldn't fall down in defeat.
"I knew I hit him with a good shot," Ruiz said. "He managed to hold on. I
wondered when the referee was going to pry him loose. ... I felt confident. I felt I
could do it." Ruiz who was categorized as an underdog defeated a boxing legend. There was no question about the decision, this time. Winning the heavyweight title was important for Ruiz, but he also wanted to go down in boxing history. "I'm speechless," Ruiz said when he was asked about becoming the first Latino heavyweight champion. "It means a great deal to me, not only being the world champion, but also being from Latin heritage. Its a great, great pleasure for me. A great joy and great honor. " Ruiz earned his second million-dollar payday and put himself in line for some
far more lucrative bouts against the likes of Tyson and Lewis.
|
March 4, 2001 -- Over the past few decades, Latinos
have won boxing titles in practically every division except in the
heavyweight division. Last night, a "Quiet Man" from Massachusetts made
boxing history by defeating a tough Evander Holyfield to become the first Latino
to hold a heavyweight title. His name is John Ruiz.
|
Web site design, development and maintenance
by |
