Fat Andy would batter him. Despite his aesthetics, he is a physical specimen, no way someone as average as "The quiet man" beats Big Andy.
Not really. He beat Oquendo and Johnson who had really fast hands. the only really fast fighter that beat him was Jones IIRC
Also Chagaev and Toney beat him and a big part was their edge in speed, as was with the early losses against Nicholson and Kobozev. Also, he was by no means impressive against Oquendo. Ruiz did his best work against the likes of Rahman and McCline
Chagaev didn't really beat him IIRC. Was a real close one that could have gone either way. And while ruiz didn't looked imppressive against O (well, he never really looked impressive),Fast Fres was favored over him IIRC and it was a great performance by Ruiz standard. Everybody struggles against speed, and i don't think Johnny boy showed a particuliar vulnerability against it.
"He wins his fights but he doesn't beat his opponents" - Manny Steward, on Ruiz I thought Ruiz was one of the most despicable fighters in history... constantly play acting, pretending to be fouled, constantly clinching ... just an awful, negative presence... it's bad that he existed in the sport
Ruiz was anything but a crowd pleaser but he had a frustrating style to deal with. I could see this turning out like Ruiz-Oquendo.
Ruiz boringness is overstated. He had an ugly style, and some real stinkers, but he also had quite a few fun fights.
Of the 5 worst fights I've ever seen I think ruiz was involved in at least 3 of them. Total poison. Of all James toney's career accomplishments making a ruiz fight entertaining has gotta rank high among thrm
The only Ruiz fight I enjoyed was against Tua He was a disgusting fighter and his awfulness is not overstated at all
I really started to feel homicidal watching him fight. He had that stupid rhythm when he walked forward, as if he was actually there to fight. But his footwork was awful. And his degenerate trainer screaming, "Johnny!" What a fucking nightmare it was when he was on the scene.
Ali's hand speed was overrated. George Foreman didn't punch all that hard. Marvin Hagler had a weak chin. Boxing rings are also hexagonal in shape.
Ruiz vs Valuev I&Ii and Ruiz vs Holy I&II were better fights than their reputation but Ruiz vs Golota was absolutely dreary, as were his bouts with Rahman and Oquendo
I might be misremembering it, but it had a few shifts in momentum and both were hurt. Add on: just rewatched the end and people were applauding at the end. Cant have been that bad of a fight