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John Ruiz Boxing Glove Autograph
An Everlast Boxing Glove Autograph from recent
Heavyweight Champion John Ruiz.
John Ruiz
SOLD
John "The Quietman" Ruiz profile
reads he is the only Latino heavyweight champion of the
world.
His world title shot came against the legendary
champion, Evander "The Real Deal" Holyfield in
August 2000. Except for his fans from Boston and Puerto
Rico, few gave him much chance of prevailing for the WBA
heavyweight title against the famous Holyfield. However,
Ruiz came out on the offenssive, and he continued to bring
the fight to Holyfield throughout the contest. It was a
12-round toe-to-toe braawl, but Ruiz lost a unanimous, but
razor-thin decision. Many observers felt Ruiz had won the
fight. "I was absolutely robbed," a defiant Ruiz
proclaimed afterwards. "I had control of the fight.
Holyfield threw everything at me, including elbows and heads."
He had an opportunity to avenge his loss after
the WBA ordered a direct rematch due to the controversy
surrounding the first bout. During Holyfield vs Ruiz 2:
The Last Word in March 2001, a more poised and confident
Ruiz entered the ring. He was not influenced by Holyfield's
attempts to intimidate him. Like the first time, it was
a brawl for most of the fight. Ruiz developed a welt below
his left eye in round two and had his forehead sliced by
a head-butt from Holyfield in the 4th round. Still, he managed
to keep his composure while his corner tended to the bleeding.
It was a seesaw battle into round ten when Holyfield dropped
Ruiz with a low blow that led to a point deduction from
the referee, while Ruiz writhed in pain on the canvas. After
taking three minutes to recover, he returned to battle.
He landed a stunning right cross in round
eleven that sent Holyfield crumbling to the mat. (Ruiz joined
Riddick Bowe as the only fighters in history to knock Holyfield
down.) Holyfield wobbled to his feet and held on to Ruiz
for the remainder of the round to survive. The scorecards
were tabulated and Ruiz emerged as the new WBA champion
by unanimous decision, becoming the first Latino heavyweight
champion in boxing history.
