Boxing News Boxing News
Last night at the packed MEN Arena in Manchester, England, David Haye successfully defended his WBA Heavyweight Title against ‘The Quiet Man’ – John Ruiz of Massachusetts, USA.
Immediately, Ruiz took centre ring while Haye edged around the perimeter. A big right lands flush to the face of Ruiz and he falls backwards just at the half-minute mark of the opening round. Ruiz takes the count and Haye launches himself at a still-dazed Ruiz.
Seconds later, Haye bundles his opponent on to the ropes and a right hand lands to the back of the head. Falling to his knees, Ruiz complains at the ‘rabbit punch’. The knockdown is waved off and Referee Perez Pineda deducts a point from Haye for the illegal blow.
The Manchester crowd are on their feet as Haye drops his left glove low and keeps the right poised for a big shot. He lands another hefty right to the face of Ruiz, who takes it well. Ruiz starts to concentrate and throws a decent left.
In the closing seconds of this first round – a left, right combo sees Haye bounce off the ropes. Both men land shots before the bell then Ruiz continues to throw after the bell. Haye has sustained a graze to the eye while Ruiz looks to have had his nose broken.
Miraculously – the fight is still in full flow past the sixth! Testimony to the ‘heart’ and gutsy attitude of John Ruiz, who took many heavy shots and was on the canvas a further two times but still kept coming forward.
Told by his corner that he had one round left – Ruiz picked it up in the seventh. When Trainer Miguel Diaz finally waved the white towel in round nine – Haye had just landed a powerful right which splattered the left cheek of Ruiz. Unprotesting – Ruiz calmly returned to his corner and a delighted Team Haye celebrated.
Haye’s record now stands at 24 wins (22 by KO) 1 loss (1 by KO) while Ruiz drops to 44 wins (30 by KO) 9 losses (2 by KO) and 1 draw.
Also on the bill:
Londoner George ‘The Saint’ Groves won the Commonwealth Super-Middleweight Title from Charles Adamu by TKO round six following three knockdowns in total.
Ajose Olusegan successfully defended his Commonwealth Light-Welterweight Title against ex-IBO, European and British Champion Colin Lynes by eighth round knockout.
Former European, British and Commonwealth Light-Middle Champion Jamie Moore of Manchester retired at the end of the sixth when faced with Ukrainian-born veteran Sergey Khomitski. Moore – who’d stepped up in weight – struggled from the ‘off’ in this middleweight contest.
Former Commonwealth Title Challenger Carl ‘Dynamite’ Dilks of Liverpool won by a sixth and final round KO over Carl Drake of Plymouth at super-middleweight
Irish-born veteran Peter McDonagh won on points over Frenchman Christopher Sebire at light-welter while Mancunian-Danny Randall won convincingly on points over veteran Daniel Thorpe of Sheffield, also at light-welterweight.
Californian-born featherweight prospect Adrian Gonzalez lost his undefeated record on points to James Ancliff of Scotland, who had dropped his previous eight contests.
