The Big Debate: John “The Quiet Man” Ruiz vs. James “Lights Out” Toney.

Ahh….You just never know what’s going to happen with those crazy heavyweights. Well fight fans, welcome to the second installment of “The Big Debate.” This one is not exactly a fight that fans are raving about, but it is an important one since Toney is

trying to become only the fourth former middleweight champion, in our sports long and illustrious history, to become a heavyweight champion. And what is in the way of “Lights Out” accomplishing this feat? None other than one of the most criticized and disliked fighters in the last twenty years (it just might be ever), WBA titlist John “The Quiet Man” Ruiz. Yours truly was awarded the daunting task of making a case of why the often “vilified” champion will win. Most of the boxing media, and fans alike, are hoping that “The Quiet Man” is vanquished by Toney so that we no longer have to endure his fighting, which resembles more of a “Greco Roman Wrestling” style, than a boxing one. Still, Ruiz is the champion, and is not without his credentials. So, before you think I’m crazy, and start to laugh at me for actually picking Ruiz to win, just hear me out with an open mind.

Read on for the rest of the big debate with Sergio Martinez arguing for Ruiz and Jim Cawkwell making a case for Toney.

James Toney is considered the favorite by the odds-makers, and most media types, to not only beat “The Quiet Man,” but completely destroy him. The boxing public points to Toney’s boxing style, natural ability to slip the incoming offensive, and talent to counterpunch with deadly accuracy; to be the perfect foil for Ruiz’ grappling and leaning-in style of fighting. The “experts” say that Toney will counterpunch Ruiz to death and should have no problem in acquiring the WBA trinket. My question is, how did “Lights Out” earn this lofty heavyweight status? What has he really accomplished in the division that merits such consideration? Is a win over a one-hundred-year-old “The Real Heavyweight MEAL” Holyfield, who was embarrassed by Larry Donald and suspended by the New York Athletic Commission after his last fight justification enough? Or is Rydell “I’m too lazy to make cruiserweight so I’ll fight at heavyweight” Booker, really any indication of how “Lights Out” will do against a battle-tested, big, strong, true heavyweight like Ruiz? I say it is not. Whether we like it or not, Ruiz has fought, and beaten all of the top heavyweights of the post Lennox Lewis era, with the exception of Roy Jones Jr. When Ruiz fought Jones, Ruiz was going through a horrible divorce that may have contributed to him not being completely ready for that fight.

His most recent victories include top heavyweights like Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo, and Hasim Rahman, all of which were legitimate title contenders and have recently challenged for other heavyweight titles. I know that list is not cause for excitement, but those fighters do represent solid top-ten contenders in a weak division. “The Quiet Man” has a solid chin, a strong right hand, and mauls his opponents, using his frame to wear them down. Throw in the fact that Toney looks more like James “Turn the Lights Out When I Remove My Shirt” Toney, than a fighter who is in top physical shape and you have your answer. It’s going to be an ugly fight, but “The Quiet Man” will quietly land enough overhand rights, work the body, and grapple his way to a twelve-round split decision.

What do you think about that Jim?

Thanks Sergio. So it has come to this; John Ruiz, stylistically unforgivable in the ring and perhaps the most unwanted heavyweight champion in recent memory faces James Toney: verbally unforgivable out of the ring and perhaps one of the greatest active fighters in the world, and yet somehow, neither of them belongs in a heavyweight championship contest. The problem of whom to root for is entirely perplexing. By virtue of his unrelentingly vicious insults and generally belligerent public conduct, Toney brands himself as one of the most unlikable characters in the sport. Likewise, Ruiz’ abundance of unflattering career statistics and in-ring exploits renders him an even less desirable participant. The WBA championship knows little else than a troubled path in recent years. It is a title of reputable lineage, worn by great champions of old including Muhammad Ali himself, and the fact that it is paraded between such undeserving characters as Ruiz and Toney makes for a tangibly sad proposition.

In their respective ways, they are both opportunists. A fighter should believe wholly in himself and his abilities, but only the most unshakable will must exist between the ears of Ruiz, spawning declarations to the tune that he is the greatest heavyweight in the world. John Ruiz is nothing more than a champion by circumstance, the perennial sideshow to the main attraction, which admittedly, in the current form of Vitali Klitschko is no more believable or compelling. However, neither the glaring faults of Klitschko or any other pseudo-champion abound in the heavyweight ranks today enhance Ruiz’ appeal.

Meanwhile, Toney excels in the demeaning of his superlative talents through the ubiquitous presence of his volatile vocabulary. Possessing vitriol potent enough to numb remembrance of a legacy even as grand as his, Toney’s habitual verbal assaults range from veiled death threats ensconced between inappropriate street language and most ironically, a rigid focus on dismissing media personnel in outlandish outbursts. Some forgiveness lays in recounting Toney’s past dominance throughout his golden age, a time when he roared through multiple weight divisions as a world champion. However, as an overweight thirty-seven-year-old now in much deeper waters, his behavior appears somewhat impotent, certainly when exacted upon such forlorn foes as Evander Holyfield.

The last time James Toney participated in a real fight, he stood toe-to-toe with former IBF cruiserweight champion Vassiliy Jirov and gutted out one of the classic victories in recent memory. It is for that reason that I believe he will defeat Ruiz, but there will be no new Golden Era, no shining dawn to savor as Toney ascends to his fourth world championship in as many weight classes. Memory of Toney’s distinguished past is what prompts so many to watch him, with a growing portion of onlookers waiting to see him finally put on his back.

And therein lays the root of my argument. As you gather, I am no supporter of James Toney’s, no advocate for his ridiculous behavior, nor do I believe that as a heavyweight champion, he will prove anymore a appropriate flag-bearer for the WBA than Ruiz. But disliking a fighter’s public demeanor cannot blind one to his immense abilities. There is a reason that Toney once held the title as pound-for-pound the best fighter in the world; he is from the old school, and no amount of weight can make him forget what he learned there.

Toney thrilled boxing with his cliffhanger slugfest against Jirov, a fighter who himself proved more than adequate amongst natural heavyweights. Unlike Roy Jones, I believe Toney will be willing to absorb some punishment and still have the temerity to stand with the natural heavyweight in spells. Defensively, Toney offers Ruiz a puzzle I cannot see the champion solving while having to deal with a barrage of swift counterpunches from the Michigan motor-mouth. Quite simply, like him or not, but James Toney has the confidence, power, skill, defense and ring generalship to give John Ruiz his greatest nightmare since….well, they seem to get worse with every fight, so go figure.

Whichever way it goes, we all sincerely hope you enjoy the fight and have enjoyed SaddoBoxing’s build-up coverage of the big event. Look out for the writer’s predictions tomorrow and on Saturday, we shall bring you the lowdown on the throwdown as it happens live from Madison Square Garden.

Sergio Martinez can be reached at srg_mrtnz@yahoo.com

Jim Cawkwell can be reached at jimcawkwell@yahoo.co.uk