Ex-heavyweight champion Ruiz says he's retired
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By STEVE CARP
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
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After making one final attempt to win the world heavyweight championship, John Ruiz decided it's time to move on.
Ruiz, 38, a two-time former WBA heavyweight champ, announced his retirement Monday. He'll move from Las Vegas to his native Boston, where he'll run a gym and train young fighters.
"It wasn't that hard a decision," said Ruiz, the first Latino to be heavyweight champion. "I've had a great career but it's time for me to turn the page and start a new chapter of my life.
"I want to go home and open a gym where kids will have a place to go, keeping them off of the streets so they can learn to box and build character."
Ruiz was unable to wrest the WBA belt from Englishman David Haye on April 3 in Manchester, England. He was knocked down four times, twice in the first round, and Ruiz's corner stopped the fight in the ninth. Ruiz is 44-9-1 with 30 knockouts.
"It's sad that my final fight didn't work out the way I wanted, but, hey, that's boxing," he said. "I'm proud of what I accomplished."
During an 18-year professional career, Ruiz defeated three world champions -- Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker. He fought in 12 championship bouts.
"I'm going to miss Las Vegas," said Ruiz, who lived in Southern Nevada for nine years.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Martinez beats Pavlik to claim middleweight title
(From AP)
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ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.(AP)—Sergio Martinez dominated the final five rounds Saturday night, winning a bloody and impressive unanimous decision over Kelly Pavlik to claim the WBO and WBC middleweight championships.
Martinez (45-2-2) moved up to 160 pounds to challenge Pavlik, who had never been defeated at his natural weight. But the junior middleweight champ put on marvelous display of speed and footwork, battering and frustrating the pride of Youngstown, Ohio.
When the final bell sounded, Martinez ran for the corner and leaped onto the ropes in victory. Pavlik solemnly raised his own arm, his face awash in blood - just as it been at the end of every round after the eighth.
Roberto Ramirez scored it 116-111, Barbara Perez had it 115-111 and Craig Metcalfe had it 115-112, all for Martinez. The Associated Press also scored it 115-112.
===================
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.(AP)—Sergio Martinez dominated the final five rounds Saturday night, winning a bloody and impressive unanimous decision over Kelly Pavlik to claim the WBO and WBC middleweight championships.
Martinez (45-2-2) moved up to 160 pounds to challenge Pavlik, who had never been defeated at his natural weight. But the junior middleweight champ put on marvelous display of speed and footwork, battering and frustrating the pride of Youngstown, Ohio.
When the final bell sounded, Martinez ran for the corner and leaped onto the ropes in victory. Pavlik solemnly raised his own arm, his face awash in blood - just as it been at the end of every round after the eighth.
Roberto Ramirez scored it 116-111, Barbara Perez had it 115-111 and Craig Metcalfe had it 115-112, all for Martinez. The Associated Press also scored it 115-112.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
HOLYFIELD RALLIES TO STOP BOTHA IN 8!
Wins first bout since June 2007...
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(From Associated Press)
47-year-old Holyfield stops Botha in 8th
LAS VEGAS — Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield stopped Frans Botha in the eighth round on Saturday night.
The 47-year-old Holyfield (43-10-2) knocked the 41-year old Botha (47-5-3) down with 2:36 left in the round with a right to the left chin.
Botha beat referee Russell Mora's count, but with 2:05 left Mora stopped the fight with Botha backed into a corner. It was Holyfield's 28th career knockout.
Two judges had Botha ahead 67-66 when the fight was stopped. The other judge had it 69-64 for Holyfield, the former heavyweight champion.
There were only about 2,200 people in the stands at the Thomas & Mack Center, most rooting for Holyfield.
Holyfield briefly lost his balance, stumbling into a corner after a right from Botha with 2:04 left in the second round. After that, Holyfield started taking control.
Botha, a native South African, was warned by the referee twice in the first three rounds for hitting behind the head. Botha also was warned in the first round for a double hit to the head during a clinch.
This was Holyfield's first fight in Las Vegas since 2003, when he lost to James Toney at Mandalay Bay.
Before Saturday Holyfield was only 10-6 in Las Vegas, including the infamous ear-biting incident against Mike Tyson in 1997, when he won by disqualification.
===================================
(From Associated Press)
47-year-old Holyfield stops Botha in 8th
LAS VEGAS — Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield stopped Frans Botha in the eighth round on Saturday night.
The 47-year-old Holyfield (43-10-2) knocked the 41-year old Botha (47-5-3) down with 2:36 left in the round with a right to the left chin.
Botha beat referee Russell Mora's count, but with 2:05 left Mora stopped the fight with Botha backed into a corner. It was Holyfield's 28th career knockout.
Two judges had Botha ahead 67-66 when the fight was stopped. The other judge had it 69-64 for Holyfield, the former heavyweight champion.
There were only about 2,200 people in the stands at the Thomas & Mack Center, most rooting for Holyfield.
Holyfield briefly lost his balance, stumbling into a corner after a right from Botha with 2:04 left in the second round. After that, Holyfield started taking control.
Botha, a native South African, was warned by the referee twice in the first three rounds for hitting behind the head. Botha also was warned in the first round for a double hit to the head during a clinch.
This was Holyfield's first fight in Las Vegas since 2003, when he lost to James Toney at Mandalay Bay.
Before Saturday Holyfield was only 10-6 in Las Vegas, including the infamous ear-biting incident against Mike Tyson in 1997, when he won by disqualification.
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