Two-time world heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (41-6-1, 28 KOs) is training in Las Vegas with his new head trainer, Manny Siaca, Sr., for his November 18 mandated WBA elimination fight against No. 2 rated challenger Ruslan “White Tyson” Chagaev (21-0-1, 17 KOs) in Dusseldorf, Germany. The Ruiz-Chagaev winner will be the mandatory challenger for WBA heavyweight champion Nicolay Valuev.

The WBA No. 1 rated Ruiz promises fans will see a new and improved version against Chagaev, a southpaw from Uzebekistan now fighting out of Germany, the reigning WBA Intercontinental heavyweight champion.

“I’m learning new things from Manny,” Ruiz said. “I’m gradually moving into a new mode. I had leveled off. It hasn’t been since my stepfather trained me that I learned new boxing techniques and skills. I feel really good knowing that when I step in the ring I am bringing a different set of skills and a better mindset.

“Now I’m working with Manny to get away from being the old me. I’m not going to be lying back, waiting for the other guy, and just swinging away. We’re working on a new training method where I am now throwing punches and moving, not holding and waiting. But what’s really important, is that instead of talking about being the new me, I’m going to show everybody on November 18.”

Siaca has trained 23 world champions including his son, Manny Siaca, Jr., Edwin Rosario, Sammy Serrano, Leo Gamez and Eddie Mustafa Muhammad.

“John’s always had a good jab,” Siaca noted, “but now he’s throwing – bam, bam – four jabs and moving instead of throwing a jab and grabbing. He’s throwing punches in combinations. He’s fighting a southpaw, so things will be a little different. In the fight, John needs to move and throw. We’ll be ready for him. I really enjoy working with John. He’s a very decent and honorable guy who works hard. Johnny Ruiz will become the world heavyweight champion again. I’d bet my life on it.”

Chagaev and Dimitrenko promise an exciting “Universum Champions Night” in Düsseldorf, Germany

The “Universum Champions Night” this Friday at the Burg Wächter – Castello in Düsseldorf will highlight four high profile bouts. GBU Super Flyweight Champ Alesia Graf and WIBF Super Middle titlist Natascha Ragosina will support the headliners Ruslan Chagaev, in his WBA Heavyweight Eliminator against former two time world champion John Ruiz, and Alexander Dimitrenko against the American, Billy Zumbrun.

Universum fighter and WBA Intercontinental Champion Ruslan Chagaev , 21-0-1 (17), will face the American John Ruiz, 41-6-1 (28), in a WBA heavyweight eliminator fight. This fight was won by Universum Box-Promotion at the purse bid in Miami in September and will be the first highlight of the evening.

With a positive outcome for Hamburg based Uzbekistani southpaw Chagaev, he will then have a great chance to challenge the current WBA World Champion at heavyweight, Nicolay Valuev, of the Sauerland boxing stable.

Also on the bill, heavyweight Alexander “Sascha” Dimitrenko, 23-0-0 (14), will replace Felix Sturm and supports Ruslan Chagaev. The unbeaten Universum boxer will face the American Billy Zumbrun, 20-7-1 (11), a 34 year old heavyweight with a positive record who only lost by marginal decision against the former World Champion Riddick Bowe.

“Sascha” Dimitrenko made headlines with his quick first round KO win over the Argentinean Gonzalo Omar Basile just two weeks ago and is now ready for another tough challenge on his way to a world title fight, “After that short fight, I’m still in training and in great shape,” said Dimitrenko. “I don’t care who is next as I want to be a World Champion next year!”

In a fight for the super flyweight world championship crown, Alesia Graf, 15-1-0 (7), from Stuttgart will put her GBU belt in jeopardy against the American, Heather Percival, 9-3 (1). The Universum Box-Promotion champion will have her fourth title defence and wants to live up to her nickname “The Tigress” for another demonstration of her her strength.

Another highlight will be the WIBF Super Middleweight Champion Natascha Ragosina, 11-0-0 (8). The Russian lady out of the SES boxing stable faces Scroller Carrington, 7-1-1 (4), from Trinidad & Tobago and will defend her WIBF belt for the third time.

In other fights: welterweight Maurice Weber, 7-0 (3), from Cologne faces the Frenchman Frank Harroche Horta, 5-2-2 (0), and Dimitri Sartison, 18-0 (13), from Hamburg steps into the ring in a super middleweight bout against the Latvian Jevgenijs Andrejevs (7-12-0, 2 KO).

Tickets for this event are available at:
Universum Ticket Hotline: 040- 696 559 59
CTS-Eventim Hotline: 01805-5 70 000
Ticket-Center Düsseldorf: 0211-17202910 and at all known Ticket Shops