John Ruiz wants Lennox Lewis next

Viva Johnny! John Ruiz makes boxing history.

John Ruiz's bout-by-bout career boxing record.

WBA champion, John Ruiz wants Lennox Lewis next.

"I'll rather fight Lennox Lewis everyday than Holyfield any day," said the WBA heavyweight champion, John Ruiz.

March 9, 2001 -- Just coming off the toughest fight of his career, John "The Quiet Man" Ruiz wants to unify the heavyweight titles by fighting the WBC & IBF heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis.

Lewis, a towering figure at 6'-5" 240 pounds, has beaten many of the best heavyweights in boxing today including David Tua, Michael Grant and Evander Holyfield - twice.

But John Ruiz feels he has what it takes to defeat the British champion and thinks he could be an easier opponent than Holyfield.

"I know I can beat Lewis. I definitely want to fight for the unification of the title," Ruiz said.

Ruiz is uncertain who he will actually meet next, but said that "he will fight whomever King puts in front of him."

"King keeps mentioning China, but we're not sure," he said. "If that's the next stop, we'll definitely be there."

King had a deal to bring the winner of Holyfield-Ruiz to China for a title fight June 30. But after Ruiz beat Holyfield on a unanimous decision, the promoter said the card would be delayed a few months while he and the Chinese sorted things out.

For the time being, though, Ruiz is still trying to realize that he is the new WBA heavyweight champion of the world.

"I'm still looking at the belt just to make sure it wasn't a dream," said Ruiz.

Written by Latino Legends in Sports

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