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05/09/2005 Archived Entry: "Two-time WBA heavyweight champ John Ruiz is back"
Two-time WBA heavyweight champ John Ruiz is back
LAS VEGAS (May 9, 2005) - Former two-time World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John "The Quietman" Ruiz announced today that, after speaking with his family and management team, he has reconsidered his decision to retire and will continue fighting.
Ruiz retired April 30 immediately after losing a 12-round decision to James "Lights Out" Toney at Madison Square Garden. "My emotional decision, coming right after losing a fight I felt I won, was premature," Ruiz explained. "I was tired of all the criticism and felt everybody was against me. After reviewing the tape and talking it over with my advisors, I decided that I don't want to go out that way. If they want me out of the sport, they're going to have to knock me out. I'm back.
"I want my WBA belt back. I still feel that I'm the best heavyweight in the world and I'm willing to fight any of the top heavyweights."
Ruiz, 33, is the first and only world heavyweight champion of Latino heritage. His victories include three against world champions - Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker - as well as versus top 10 contenders such as Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo and Kirk Johnson.
