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06/17/2008 Archived Entry: "'Honored' Juan Ruiz Dissed by McCullough, Looks to Exact Revenge Friday Night!"
'Honored' Juan Ruiz Dissed by McCullough, Looks to Exact Revenge Friday Night!
GEORGETOWN, Grand Cayman, June 17, 2008 -– In a takeoff of one of the most familiar sports monikers, boxer Juan Ruiz (21-5, 6 KOs), got a dose of “Let’s Get Ready to Humble” directly from his idol and Friday night opponent, Wayne McCullough (27-6, 18KOs), upon his arrival yesterday in the Cayman Islands.
Ruiz, a Santa Clarita, California native, was willing to do something others seemingly weren’t over the past three years: step into the ring against the Irish Olympic Silver medalist and former world bantamweight champion in a scheduled 10-round Special Attraction NABF Super Bantamweight Championship bout – presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism -- to be held at the Royal Watler Cruise Terminal in the Grand Cayman capital city of George Town.
Just prior to his flight down to the Western Caribbean, Ruiz enthusiastically commented: “Well I’m really, really excited to fight Wayne McCullough. It’s an honor for me to fight Wayne McCullough. He’s been in the game for so long now. It gives me a chance to show what I can do as a professional fighter against one of the top fighters in the world. Going to the Caymans is nice, but it’s a business for me. I gotta go and get a win down there. I love Wayne, but it’s a business.
Obviously those sentiments expressed by Ruiz portrayed a feeling of deep respect and admiration he has for the 37-year old Irish boxing icon. Or at least HAD!
In a chance meeting upon checking into their hotel, en route to their rooms, Ruiz and his trainer, Larry Goossen, encountered McCullough as he was exiting the lobby elevator. Ruiz then respectfully extended his hand and introduced himself to the normally congenial Irishman, who flat out ignored the introduction. That was like a shot in the gut to Ruiz; a reality check on the business side of boxing, which can prove to be a humbling experience indeed.
“I was silenced because I felt insulted and disrespected,” Ruiz conveyed. “I was going to win the fight anyway, but this snub just turned it up a notch. If McCullough was trying to send a message, I’ll have one for him: IT’S ON!!!”
