John "The Quiet Man" Ruiz: A Hall of Famer?

[jas80s]

I had the pleasure of interviewing John once, what a cool dude. Needless to say, it made me a fan.

I don't even see how you could make an argument for him. His career is a testament to his perseverance and commitment to giving his best every time out. But, neither his skills or his resume warrant a place in the hall of fame.

He deserves better than how he is often perceived, but he is not a hall of fame fighter.

An overall perception of him is pretty natural. He could be a nice guy out of the ring, he could give his best in it, but his fights were absolutely dull.

I found his fights dull as well for the most part, but he wasn't the first, last, or only dull fighter ever. In the end, I was impressed that he found a way to compete with guys who were often faster, stronger, and better than him. Yet, somehow he became the poster child for anybody who ever crowded, spoiled, or even grabbed an opponent. I think that's a bit unfair.

But, truth be told, my favorite fighters to watch are pretty much the exact opposite of the Ruiz style. But, the guy shouldn't be required to fight in the dumbest way possible simply for our entertainment.

[Chuck1052]

It may be that John Ruiz has a better resume than some fighters that were inducted in the International Boxing Hall of Fame, but I wouldn't vote for him to be inducted. Moreover, I feel that anyone with Ruiz's fighting style did not belong in the boxing ring. In fact, Ruiz should have been disqualified every time he used his trademark "a single jab and fall into a clinch" fighting style.

- Chuck Johnston

[Tuan_Jim]

He should have been disqualified for the numberless times he dived to the canvas clutching his balls every time someone hit him with a legal shot to the body. People forget this obnoxious tactic of his because of all the mauling and holding which immediately spring to mind when you hear his name. He was a filthy cheat in so many other ways. Hey, remember when he tried to redeem himself by chasing a rematch with David Tua? Me neither.

[Ambling Alp II]

The diving to the canvas was hilarious.

What cracked me up about the Johnson fight was that he would would hit borderline low and fall down as if he had been shot, milking it for all that it was worth.
Then on the last one, after Johnson was disqualified, and he knew that Johnson was disqualified, nothing. No falling to the ground this time.

[Ambling Alp II]

It may be that John Ruiz has a better resume than some fighters that were inducted in the International Boxing Hall of Fame, but I wouldn't vote for him to be inducted. Moreover, I feel that anyone with Ruiz's fighting style did not belong in the boxing ring. In fact, Ruiz should have been disqualified every time he used his trademark "a single jab and fall into a clinch" fighting style.

- Chuck Johnston

This is a text book example of why you can't look at WBS titles or wins against washed up opponents.
If you take a hard look at Ruiz's resume, you see how weak it really was:

Darnell Nicholson (Lost.)
Jimmy Thunder (Barely won.)
David Tua (Ko'd in less than 20 seconds.)
Shot Evander Holfyield I (Lost)
Shot Evander Holyfield II (Barely won.)
Shot Evander Holyfield III (Got a draw, total BS. He lost clearly.)
Kirk Johnson (Won by DQ. Was extremley lucky.)
Freq Oquendo (TKO 11 win. Fight was about even. Terrible fight.)
Roy Jones (Lost convincingly.)
Andrew Golota (Won bogus decision. Total BS again. He lost clearly.)
Hasim Rahman (won)
Nicolai Valuev (Lost.)

You can make a serious case that he was no better than Darnell Nicholson.

[Boxing Writer]

If Byrd would have fought Ruiz.....one of them would likely deserve it....but no......not with the history as it stands.

I don't think a Byrd/Ruiz bout would've furthered either of their legacy's by much. It would've been a suck ass, close fight with lots of inaction and clinching. Not the kinda thing that people want to give you a plaque on the wall over.

I think Byrd would beat Ruiz convincingly. He had a very difficult style for him, Remember how easily Ruiz was outboxed bu RJJ and completely out of shape 37 y.o. James Toney?

[DrDuke]

It may be that John Ruiz has a better resume than some fighters that were inducted in the International Boxing Hall of Fame, but I wouldn't vote for him to be inducted. Moreover, I feel that anyone with Ruiz's fighting style did not belong in the boxing ring. In fact, Ruiz should have been disqualified every time he used his trademark "a single jab and fall into a clinch" fighting style.

- Chuck Johnston

That's right. His style was even fouling.

[DrDuke]

It may be that John Ruiz has a better resume than some fighters that were inducted in the International Boxing Hall of Fame, but I wouldn't vote for him to be inducted. Moreover, I feel that anyone with Ruiz's fighting style did not belong in the boxing ring. In fact, Ruiz should have been disqualified every time he used his trademark "a single jab and fall into a clinch" fighting style.

- Chuck Johnston

This is a text book example of why you can't look at WBS titles or wins against washed up opponents.
If you take a hard look at Ruiz's resume, you see how weak it really was:

Darnell Nicholson (Lost.)
Jimmy Thunder (Barely won.)
David Tua (Ko'd in less than 20 seconds.)
Shot Evander Holfyield I (Lost)
Shot Evander Holyfield II (Barely won.)
Shot Evander Holyfield III (Got a draw, total BS. He lost clearly.)
Kirk Johnson (Won by DQ. Was extremley lucky.)
Freq Oquendo (TKO 11 win. Fight was about even. Terrible fight.)
Roy Jones (Lost convincingly.)
Andrew Golota (Won bogus decision. Total BS again. He lost clearly.)
Hasim Rahman (won)
Nicolai Valuev (Lost.)

You can make a serious case that he was no better than Darnell Nicholson.

His fights were just tough to score. All Holyfield fights were close anyway. All could have been draws. However, it's not like that only against Holyfield. Johnson fight was also about the same, Ruiz was able to hurt Johnson late though. And Rahman fight was also very even, that's not a convincing win. Yet he actually won Valuev, then Ruiz was robbed.

[armageto]

Ruiz made the most of his talent, I'll give him credit for that. His ugly, borderline DQ worth style, gave him a career after that Tua KO. Still, he is no where near a HOF candidate to me. His overall resume is lacking and the HW division was on the decline from the 90's to what it is today.

[BoxBuzz]

If Byrd would have fought Ruiz.....one of them would likely deserve it....but no......not with the history as it stands.

I don't think a Byrd/Ruiz bout would've furthered either of their legacy's by much. It would've been a suck ass, close fight with lots of inaction and clinching. Not the kinda thing that people want to give you a plaque on the wall over.

At least one of them could call themselves a champion........still would have depended somewhat on what transpired after.

Hell, I'd rather see David Tua in than either of them though he never wore a belt as I recall.

[gilgamesh]

If Byrd would have fought Ruiz.....one of them would likely deserve it....but no......not with the history as it stands.

I don't think a Byrd/Ruiz bout would've furthered either of their legacy's by much. It would've been a suck ass, close fight with lots of inaction and clinching. Not the kinda thing that people want to give you a plaque on the wall over.

I think Byrd would beat Ruiz convincingly. He had a very difficult style for him, Remember how easily Ruiz was outboxed bu RJJ and completely out of shape 37 y.o. James Toney?

I would've been confident in a victory for Byrd in that matchup too, I just don't think it would've been all that significant a win for him. Would've gotten him the WBA belt though at least, and made him a unified Champ for a time. Something he never accomplished.

[Ambling Alp II]

It may be that John Ruiz has a better resume than some fighters that were inducted in the International Boxing Hall of Fame, but I wouldn't vote for him to be inducted. Moreover, I feel that anyone with Ruiz's fighting style did not belong in the boxing ring. In fact, Ruiz should have been disqualified every time he used his trademark "a single jab and fall into a clinch" fighting style.

- Chuck Johnston

This is a text book example of why you can't look at WBS titles or wins against washed up opponents.
If you take a hard look at Ruiz's resume, you see how weak it really was:

Darnell Nicholson (Lost.)
Jimmy Thunder (Barely won.)
David Tua (Ko'd in less than 20 seconds.)
Shot Evander Holfyield I (Lost)
Shot Evander Holyfield II (Barely won.)
Shot Evander Holyfield III (Got a draw, total BS. He lost clearly.)
Kirk Johnson (Won by DQ. Was extremley lucky.)
Freq Oquendo (TKO 11 win. Fight was about even. Terrible fight.)
Roy Jones (Lost convincingly.)
Andrew Golota (Won bogus decision. Total BS again. He lost clearly.)
Hasim Rahman (won)
Nicolai Valuev (Lost.)

You can make a serious case that he was no better than Darnell Nicholson.

His fights were just tough to score. All Holyfield fights were close anyway. All could have been draws. However, it's not like that only against Holyfield. Johnson fight was also about the same, Ruiz was able to hurt Johnson late though. And Rahman fight was also very even, that's not a convincing win. Yet he actually won Valuev, then Ruiz was robbed.

No way in the world the 3rd Holyfield fight should have been a draw. Ruiz lost conviicngly.
He also lost convincingly to Golota, it just was not scored that way.
He lost very convincingly to Jones.
And got ko'd in less than 20 seconds against Tua.

You would be hard pressed to find a fighter who more breaks in the boxing game that John Ruiz.

[DrDuke]

No way in the world the 3rd Holyfield fight should have been a draw. Ruiz lost conviicngly.
He also lost convincingly to Golota, it just was not scored that way.
He lost very convincingly to Jones.
And got ko'd in less than 20 seconds against Tua.

You would be hard pressed to find a fighter who more breaks in the boxing game that John Ruiz.

I don't remember the details of Holyfield-Ruiz trilogy (but have they really been, except Ruiz knocking Holy down?), I just remember those fights being very close and shite.

Golota, yes, he was robbed.

[gilgamesh]

No way in the world the 3rd Holyfield fight should have been a draw. Ruiz lost conviicngly.
He also lost convincingly to Golota, it just was not scored that way.
He lost very convincingly to Jones.
And got ko'd in less than 20 seconds against Tua.

You would be hard pressed to find a fighter who more breaks in the boxing game that John Ruiz.

As I recall I had the 3rd Holy-Ruiz fight 115-113 Holyfield. He broke Ruiz's nose in the last round as I recall. Or it sure looked that way at least, and I also remember Ruiz actually jumping up and down happy about the draw result...which suggested he knew he didn't deserve it.

I thought he lost quite convincingly to Golota. As I recall Golota dropped him twice...maybe 3 times I don't remember for sure...AND Ruiz lost a point as I recall...now Ruiz to his credit did come on strong down the stretch, and take a lot of the final 6 rounds, but he'd lost the first 6 so thoroughly that he couldn't (or shouldn't) have been able to catch up. I thought Golota deserved it by a wider margin than Holyfield in their 3rd bout.

[DrDuke]

I thought he lost quite convincingly to Golota. As I recall Golota dropped him twice...maybe 3 times I don't remember for sure...AND Ruiz lost a point as I recall...now Ruiz to his credit did come on strong down the stretch, and take a lot of the final 6 rounds, but he'd lost the first 6 so thoroughly that he couldn't (or shouldn't) have been able to catch up. I thought Golota deserved it by a wider margin than Holyfield in their 3rd bout.

Golota dropped him twice, he was far better early, Ruiz took some rounds in the second half, but he majorly was just spoiling the fight and had actually done not enough for that decision. A pure robbery.

[gilgamesh]

I thought he lost quite convincingly to Golota. As I recall Golota dropped him twice...maybe 3 times I don't remember for sure...AND Ruiz lost a point as I recall...now Ruiz to his credit did come on strong down the stretch, and take a lot of the final 6 rounds, but he'd lost the first 6 so thoroughly that he couldn't (or shouldn't) have been able to catch up. I thought Golota deserved it by a wider margin than Holyfield in their 3rd bout.

Golota dropped him twice, he was far better early, Ruiz took some rounds in the second half, but he majorly was just spoiling the fight and had actually done not enough for that decision. A pure robbery.

Aside from the 19 second demolition against Tua that was probably the most exciting Ruiz fight there ever was...not saying much, but I liked it more than others I recall.

Ruiz's trainer getting ejected from ringside during the fight was f*cking hilarious

[DrDuke]

I thought he lost quite convincingly to Golota. As I recall Golota dropped him twice...maybe 3 times I don't remember for sure...AND Ruiz lost a point as I recall...now Ruiz to his credit did come on strong down the stretch, and take a lot of the final 6 rounds, but he'd lost the first 6 so thoroughly that he couldn't (or shouldn't) have been able to catch up. I thought Golota deserved it by a wider margin than Holyfield in their 3rd bout.

Golota dropped him twice, he was far better early, Ruiz took some rounds in the second half, but he majorly was just spoiling the fight and had actually done not enough for that decision. A pure robbery.

Aside from the 19 second demolition against Tua that was probably the most exciting Ruiz fight there ever was...not saying much, but I liked it more than others I recall.

Ruiz's trainer getting ejected from ringside during the fight was f*cking hilarious

Yeah, Norman Stone was awesome. He actually was more entertaining, than Ruiz, and in Golota fight he was in his prime!

[gilgamesh]

Golota dropped him twice, he was far better early, Ruiz took some rounds in the second half, but he majorly was just spoiling the fight and had actually done not enough for that decision. A pure robbery.

Aside from the 19 second demolition against Tua that was probably the most exciting Ruiz fight there ever was...not saying much, but I liked it more than others I recall.

Ruiz's trainer getting ejected from ringside during the fight was f*cking hilarious

Yeah, Norman Stone was awesome. He actually was more entertaining, than Ruiz, and in Golota fight he was in his prime!

I haven't watched that fight since it was Live, but it was so funny to me I remember the exact scene when he got tossed. There had been a few fouls and sh*t, and I remember when they were kinda fighting after the bell or whatever Norman Stone ran in the ring, and grabbed Golota's trainer by the shirt, and pulled his fist back saying "YOU CONTROL HIM!!!" and then dude just held his arms out like"The f*ck's your problem?"...

The moment he got tossed was when Ruiz's tape on his gloves I believe it was came loose, and the ref took him to the corner to reapply the tape, and Norman hands the tape to the referee and says "Here, you do it!"

And the ref just looks at him a second and he's like "Alright...you're gone"

He then walked by Don King on his way to the back to say "I'm gonna f*cking sue you for everything you got!!!"

As if Don King is responsible for you being ejected for being an assh*le

MANY people in Boxing have had valid reasons to sue Don King...and they have...but that sure wasn't one of 'em

[DrDuke]

Aside from the 19 second demolition against Tua that was probably the most exciting Ruiz fight there ever was...not saying much, but I liked it more than others I recall.

Ruiz's trainer getting ejected from ringside during the fight was f*cking hilarious

Yeah, Norman Stone was awesome. He actually was more entertaining, than Ruiz, and in Golota fight he was in his prime!

I haven't watched that fight since it was Live, but it was so funny to me I remember the exact scene when he got tossed. There had been a few fouls and sh*t, and I remember when they were kinda fighting after the bell or whatever Norman Stone ran in the ring, and grabbed Golota's trainer by the shirt, and pulled his fist back saying "YOU CONTROL HIM!!!" and then dude just held his arms out like"The f*ck's your problem?"...

The moment he got tossed was when Ruiz's tape on his gloves I believe it was came loose, and the ref took him to the corner to reapply the tape, and Norman hands the tape to the referee and says "Here, you do it!"

And the ref just looks at him a second and he's like "Alright...you're gone"

He then walked by Don King on his way to the back to say "I'm gonna f*cking sue you for everything you got!!!"

As if Don King is responsible for you being ejected for being an assh*le

MANY people in Boxing have had valid reasons to sue Don King...and they have...but that sure wasn't one of 'em

Stone actually was insulting the ref several times. As far as I remember, at the last time before he was finally DQed, he told to the ref "You're f*cking asshole" or something like that. And when he had being taken out, he told something like "I never said anything to that guy!", that was hilarious indeed.

He also after the announcement of decision grabbed the belt away from Valuev, if I'm not mistaken. He was then attacked by someone from Valuev's team.

[Sequitorian]

Methinks Norman Stone must be part Traveller ...

[elmersalsa]

Out of 42 votes, 34 people voted no.

[jamamb]

hes obviously not hof worthy. but i do think hes underrated. that doesnt mean hes anything special, but he wasnt the total crap many make him out to be.

[Ambling Alp II]

He was somehwere between being a legit Hall of Famer and being total crap. Closer to total crap.

[Paci]

Paperchampion.
Couldn't get a crack without King, the 3rd Holyfield-fight's decision was BS. Not that bad of a boxer really but got some bad decision wins that makes him look worse then he is.

Not HoF worthy. Hope he made some money of boxing thou.

[Caractacus]

Was he the first HW contender that was allowed to keep a full beard on whilst fighting in the ring ?