Ruiz No Longer the “Quiet Man.”
By Boxing Press February 22nd, 2005 All Boxing News, Press Releases |
World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz promises to silence mandatory contender James “Lights Out” Toney in their impending title fight. Ruiz-Toney goes to purse bid February 28 in Miami and it has been mandated to be held within 90 days. “I’m the real undisputed heavyweight champion of the world” Ruiz said. “None of the other champions will fight me. I’m the king of the heavyweight division; King Kong on top of the Empire State Building and all of the others are down on the street looking up at me. Toney’s |
nothing more than a tune-up fight for me before I start unifying the titles. He’s nothing more than an overweight middleweight. What’s he ever done to be the WBA mandatory contender? Nothing as a heavyweight! I’m going to switch his nickname around and put Toney’s lights out.”
Ruiz (41-5-1, 28 KOs), the first and only world heavyweight champion of Latino heritage, has beaten three former world champions – Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker – as well as top 10 contenders Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo and Kirk Johnson.
Toney’s only two fights as a heavyweight were against 41-year-old Evander Holyfield (TKO9) and Rydell Booker, who went the distance in only his third fight as a heavyweight.
“I can’t wait to fulfill my mandatory obligation to the WBA against James Toney,” Ruiz added. “He’s just another obstacle on my way to cleaning up the heavyweight division. I’m going to do the boxing world a favor by shutting his big mouth. His body’s been breaking down. Let’s see how strong he is in a street fight against the best heavyweight in the world.
“After Toney I want the other world champions – (Vitali) Klitschko, (Chris) Byrd, (Lamon) Brewster. I’m the only heavyweight champ calling for a tournament. If they don’t want to fight in a tournament, I’ll fight them one at a time because I am the man in the heavyweight division.”
