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.”

Click to read more boxing articles by Boxing Press

Discuss in Boxing Forum

---

Related Boxing Articles...

• Ruiz - Liakhovich Oct. 13 in Chicago

  Two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (41-7-1, 28 KOs) has signed a contract to fight former WBO title-holder Serguei “White Wolf” Liakhovich (23-2, 14 KOs) on October 13 >
  
  

• John Ruiz - Serguei Liakhovich Set For Clash In Chicago October 13

  Two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (41-7-1, 28 KOs) has signed a contract to fight former WBO title-holder Serguei “White Wolf” Liakhovich (23-2, 14 KOs) on October 13 >
  
  

• Ruiz waiting on Liakhovich

  Two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (41-7-1, 28 KOs) is disappointed that former WBO title-holder Serguei “White Wolf” Liakhovich (23-2, 14 KOs), rated No. 2 by the WBA, >
  
  

• Liakhovich Clarifies Situation

  WBA #2-rated former WBO Heavyweight Champion Sergei "White Wolf" Liakhovich (23-2, 14 KOs) and his manager, Ivaylo Gotzev, say they're enraged at the "weak attempts" being made by former WBA >
  
  

• Team Ruiz Petitions WBA

  Team Ruiz has formally petitioned the World Boxing Association, on behalf of two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (42-7-1, 29 KOs), rated No. 3 by the WBA, to >
  
  

• The New John Ruiz: “The Hunger is Back!”

  Two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (42-7-1, 29 KOs), rated No. 3 by the WBA, has gone through a complete metamorphosis and his often criticized “clutch-and-grab” style has >
  
  

• WBO Heavyweight Boxing Champion Sergei Liakhovich Sparring Session

  

  Click for larger image © Natasha Chornesky / Saddo Boxing SaddoBoxing was invited to photograph WBO Heavyweight Champion >
  
  

• Boxing Weigh in Photos: Shannon Briggs - Sergei Liakhovich

  

  Click for larger image © Tom Casino / Showtime Boxing Swinging For The Fences: Shannon Briggs, promoter Don >
  
  

• Liakhovich And Casamayor To Stage Open Boxing Workouts In Phoenix

  As part of the buildup for two separate installments of Showtime Championship Boxing, two of the principal fighters, Sergei Liakhovich and Joel Casamayor will hold open workouts for the media >
  
  

• Don King Boxing: Liakhovich, Palacios Added To Valuev vs. Haye Fight Card

  Two of Don King’s top fighters have been added to Saturday’s card headlined by WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev his title opposing David Haye in Nuremberg, Germany, at Versicherung Arena. >
  
  

---