BoxRec

This fight could've happened several times, but each time Donald wasn't able to get it.

Back in 2001, Donald lost a WBA eliminator to Kirk Johnson. Johnson went on to fight Ruiz for the title, but lost a DQ.

Back in 2005, Donald fought in a WBA eliminator against Valuev and lost a highly debatable MD in Germany. Valuev goes on to fight Ruiz for the title and wins another controversial MD (and a title) in GER.

Let's imagine Donald would've gotten the Ruiz fight at some point.

Could he have won that HW title that he never won?

John ruiz gets a ton of crap for being boring.
But he was affective. John beat numerous fighters with his clutching then 2 punches clutching then 3 punches style.
I don't see Larry Donald being that crafty to win.
Ruiz by close boring decision as usual

Not a dream fight fir sure

tiny_acres wrote: ↑09 Jan 2024, 15:53 John ruiz gets a ton of crap for being boring.
But he was affective. John beat numerous fighters with his clutching then 2 punches clutching then 3 punches style.
I don't see Larry Donald being that crafty to win.
Ruiz by close boring decision as usual

Not a dream fight fir sure

I'm glad you mentioned Ruiz's effectiveness. Lots of people tend to disregard it, because the guy's boring.

I think Donald has everything to win. But Ruiz beat some guys, who had everything to beat him. They were more skilled, talented and strong. But he was able to find a way to impose his tactics and take over the fight. Something like that could've happened here, as well.

these two are like opposites

donald the talent but not really the drive to make it work. too content to cruise.

ruiz shorter on talent but made the most of what he had

more often than not id guess ruiz would force donald into a shell just enough to win, although donald on his best night has more ability and could also decision him

Either one would take a decision or they would fight to a draw as the fight would be dirty and boring while Ruiz was doing more work. If I choose Donald to beat Ruiz he needs to avoid his clinching by jabbing, landing nice combinations and moving around the ring to take a decision.

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑09 Jan 2024, 21:55 these two are like opposites

donald the talent but not really the drive to make it work. too content to cruise.

ruiz shorter on talent but made the most of what he had

more often than not id guess ruiz would force donald into a shell just enough to win, although donald on his best night has more ability and could also decision him

That pretty much sums up my thoughts on it as well.

Ruiz found ways to win ugly. Dond found ways to lose

Ruiz UD

They both should have wins over valuev.

no doubt

Jeff_lacy_ko wrote: ↑11 Jan 2024, 19:18 They both should have wins over valuev.

Yes, they should. And Ruiz arguably (or inarguably) beat Valuev twice.

Ruiz UD

Ruiz knew that he couldn't beat anyone decent legitimately. Ruiz would have tried his throw a punch and clinch routine, making it a close fight difficult to score where he might get the break form the judges. You would be hard pressed to find a fighter who got more breaks than Ruiz.

Ambling Alp II wrote: ↑12 Jan 2024, 21:43 Ruiz knew that he couldn't beat anyone decent legitimately. Ruiz would have tried his throw a punch and clinch routine, making it a close fight difficult to score where he might get the break form the judges. You would be hard pressed to find a fighter who got more breaks than Ruiz.

Ruiz did what he had to do to win. He was on the short end against toney (that knockdown was bs and toney cheated with roids). He beat valuev twice and was screwed by judges. He legit beat holyfield and rahman. The only undeserved decision he got was against the foul pole

Jeff_lacy_ko wrote: ↑13 Jan 2024, 13:32

Ambling Alp II wrote: ↑12 Jan 2024, 21:43 Ruiz knew that he couldn't beat anyone decent legitimately. Ruiz would have tried his throw a punch and clinch routine, making it a close fight difficult to score where he might get the break form the judges. You would be hard pressed to find a fighter who got more breaks than Ruiz.

Ruiz did what he had to do to win. He was on the short end against toney (that knockdown was bs and toney cheated with roids). He beat valuev twice and was screwed by judges. He legit beat holyfield and rahman. The only undeserved decision he got was against the foul pole

I agree with you, for the most part. Though, I think Ruiz' decision over Golota was legit, too.

The way I look at that fight - Golota had so many things going his way from the early point. He had a ref, who appeared strict towards Ruiz' holdings and deducted a point from John in the 4th round. That same ref also called two knockdowns in the 2nd round, even though only one knockdown appeared legit.

So, Golota received a solid points advantage in the first half of the fight. But then he didn't do much to hold to it. And then the difference was that Ruiz did everything he could to catch up with Golota and turn the tide. While Golota appeared passive down the stretch. I think, Ruiz almost swept the 2nd half of the fight.

Ruiz, once again, found a way to win under difficult circumstances. Golota, once again, found a way to lose when the win seemed so close.