Boxing Update: Team Ruiz Challenges Team Liakhovich

ByBoxing Press

Team Ruiz has challenged Team Liakhovich to publically produce an official WBA letter, according to a release Team Liakhovich distributed earlier today, ordering Team Liakhovich to begin negotiating with former WBA champion and present No. 1 rated Nikolay Valuev for an elimination bout to determine the WBA No. 1 mandatory contender.

Two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (41-7-1, 28 KOs), rated No. 3 by the WBA, today arrived in Chicago to fight on Saturday night’s card against former WBO title-holder Serguei “White Wolf” Liakhovich (23-2, 14 KOs), rated No. 2 by the WBA, or another suitable opponent.

Ruiz’ legal advisor, Anthony Cardinale, noted that according to WBA rules only the WBA Championship Committee can establish an elimination bout for the mandatory position. “We’re sure that no vote has been taken by the WBA Championship Committee and whatever letter Mr. Gotzev may have is invalid,” Atty. Cardinale explained.

“Let them post the letter he’s talking about on the Internet so we can all read it. And the contract John signed to fight Liakhovich stated that the WBA would be petitioned to establish the winner of Saturday’s fight as either the mandatory contender or rated No. 1, moving the winner of the fight between the WBA’s No. 2 and No. 3 rated heavyweights ahead of Valuev.”

Ruiz broke training camp in Puerto Rico and is in Chicago prepared to fight Saturday night. “I’m here if Liakhovich wants to fight,” Ruiz said. “If he doesn’t want to fight me, I’ll fight somebody else, and Monday we’ll petition the WBA Ratings Committee to move me into the No. 2 spot and the WBA Championship Committee to order a box-off between me and Valuev for the No. 1 mandatory position to fight (Ruslan) Chagaev.

“Liakhovich can avoid all that by fighting me Saturday night. How is he rated No. 2 anyway? His last fight was a loss a year ago and the only rated fighter he’s ever beaten, (Lamon) Brewster, had a detached retina.”