Ruiz-Valuev: Where Does John Go From Here?

By Boxing News - 09/02/2008 - Comments

ruiz43442.jpgBy Aaron Klein: Two-time champion John Ruiz (43-8-1, 29 KOs) said that we would be seeing the new Ruiz, one that no longer clinched constantly like earlier in his career. However, after watching Ruiz lose a 12-round unanimous decision to former World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Nikolay Valuev (49-1, 34 , in a bout which seemed to include at least one clinch after every punch landed, I can’t see much that changed of the 36 year-old Ruiz’s style of fighting. It was just as dull, if not more so, that it had always been for most of his long boxing career.

In the end, Ruiz didn’t have the energy, style or power to give the 7’0″ 320 pound Valuev much of a fight. Forget about the ridiculous -114-113, 116-113 and 116-111 – scores that were handed down by the judges. The fight was terribly one-sided with Valuev, 35, winning almost every round of the fight with ease. However, now that it’s over one has to ask what will come of Ruiz? He’s now probably too old, at age 36, to challenge for another title, and given the fact that he’s now lost three out of his five fights, he’s more of a journeyman fighter than a legitimate title contender. He probably needs to seriously consider retirement, because I can’t see him beating enough top 15 fighters, if any, to get back into another title fight any time soon.

Don’t get me wrong, I thought he gave it his all but he simply too old, weak, small and slow to give Valuev much of any problems. Even in the early rounds, Ruiz could do little with the huge lumbering Valuev, mostly coming up short with his punches or having them blocked by Valuev. When Ruiz would come in punching range, he would often only get in one shot before either clinching or being clinched by Valuev.

Without much power to speak of, Ruiz was in over his in more ways than one. His power seemed much less than the previous fight three years ago, as was the case with his diminished work rate. It wasn’t so much a case of Valuev having improved any as a fighter, because from what I saw of him he looked exactly the same as he did previously in their first bout three years ago. Forget all that tripe about Valuev having improved since getting a new trainer recently, he was the exact same fighter.

He might as well have kept the original trainer because he fought as he always does – slowly, throwing jabs and doing his best work on the outside. Ruiz lost not because Valuev had improved but rather he didn’t have the size or enough power to trouble the giant. Short of that, Ruiz still probably could have easily have won the fight if his work rate was better, but he seemed to have taken a hit in this area as well.

Red-faced by the 4th round, Ruiz looked exhausted and fought the same we looked, lethargic and slow as all get up. I hate to say it but I think it’s over for Ruiz. Sure, he can hang around and hope that one of the heavyweight champions give him and shot, but at his age and with his style of fighting, I seriously doubt anyone will ever give him another shot.