Saddo's Bar & Gentlemens Club.

[donnydarkoIRL]

Saddoboxing: I have a question about the Jones fight back in ’03. What made you try to box in that fight, rather then assert yourself as the bigger man?

Ruiz: Well, if you remember the first round I was going inside. I was trying to muscle him a bit. I went in and the referee instantly broke us up. I was thrown a definite curve ball. I was having some personal problems outside the ring and I can honestly say that that was the first time in my life that I gave up on myself. I was beaten mentally in the first round. After the fight I felt terrible about that loss. I still do.

My biggest fear, looking back and saying "I really should have tried harder."

It's great to have that confirmed. Things like that make him easier to watch.
As for changing his style I thgink it's sad that he feels forced to. I mean he doesn't have to be popular, but when people hate on him, I don't think thats fair. (A little hypocritical of me considering my attitude toward Tarver and Mayorga I guess.)

It is hypocritical but show me a fan that isn't... We're all fans(and students for some of us) of the sport for one reason or another. I'm still chasing my next hero like a little kid.

I'm the same way, feeling that he shouldn't have to change his style. I think he just wants to make more money... I also got a real sense that since he started with Manny he really has fallen back in love with the game. He was really excited to talk about his new camp and abou wanting Sam Peter and Klitschko... He really had no interest in Valuev Chagaev II cuz he knows they'll want to fight in Germany and he doesn't feel he can get a fair decision and he either needs a shutout or KO to win. I can understand that after the Valuev debacle. It's funny. He really likes to fight tall guys and stressed that and then said he wants Sam Peter who is the shortest of the title holders... Well, Chagaevs right there but anyway...

Yeah, still chasing my heros. It was a trip to talk to him, though. You watch these guys and idolize them and then forget sometimes they are human beings with feelings and points of view.

Real nice guy and can't wait to see what Manny does for him!

Manny will at least up his out put and alter his tactics. I can't help but feel he's left it a bit late, but who knows perhaps he can do something.

As for Mayorga and Tarver, I guess at least I dislike them because of their personalities.

Disliking John would be unfair. It's just his style I dislike.