Boxing Result: Haye Stops Ruiz To Retain WBA Crown In Manchester

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.