LAS VEGAS (May 10, 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.
John Ruiz reinstated as WBA heavyweight champion
LAS VEGAS (May 17, 2005) – Team Ruiz was notified yesterday by the World Boxing Association that it has reinstated John “The Quietman” Ruiz as WBA heavyweight champion, effectively immediately.
WBA letter: “Based on the actions of the New York State Athletic Commission and the test results on which the Commission relied, the WBA must vacate your championship ranking and reinstate John Ruiz as the champion.”
Ruiz’ April 30 loss to James “Lights Out” Toney was changed to a “No Decision” after Toney failed the New York State Athletic Commission’s illegal substance policy, testing positive for the steroid, Nandrolone. Toney was suspended 90 days and fined $10,000 by the NYSAC, in addition to being barred from fighting for the WBA title for two years.
“To all of the A-holes who want me out of the game,” Ruiz said, “I’m back!”
Ruiz (41-5-1, 28 KOs) is the first and only world heavyweight champion of Hispanic heritage. He has beaten world champions Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker, as well as top 10 contenders Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo and Kirk Johnson.
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Open Letter from Ruiz to the WBA (And James Toney)
(JUN 8, 2005) John Ruiz wrote an open letter to the WBA in regards to James Toney. Ruiz said the following:
To President Gilberto Mendoza:
I am proud to be the World Boxing Association Heavyweight Champion. As the first Latino to ever win the world heavyweight title, it is an honor that I have fought for or defended nine times since August of 2000.
It has come to my attention that, behind my back, James Toney and his people are attempting to have the WBA lift or modify the two-year sanction against him fighting for my title. That punishment was imposed on him May 16, 2005, as a result of his testing positive for his use of an illegal performance enhancing drug in our April 30th fight. The WBA Championship Rules against “the use of drugs…in amounts which are intended to artificially and disloyally increase the boxer’s performance before or during a fight” could not be clearer:
“…the challenger shall be disqualified and shall not box for the title from World Boxing Association during the next two (2) years and only after presentation of medical evidence that he has been rehabilitated.”
Toney has not appealed this ruling, either to the WBA, pursuant to its Appeal Regulations, or to the New York State Athletic Commission. The reason: his explanation about taking prescription drugs for an arm injury turning into a performance enhancing anabolic steroid is a lie. The NYSAC has already rejected this false excuse. Ask yourself, why has he not appealed? The answer is obvious: Toney knows that if he does, the results of his blood tests would be open to the public, the extremely high levels of the illegal steroid he took would be revealed, and his “excuse” would be laughed at.
Instead he hides behind this false story and is trying to have the WBA’s two-year ban lifted in a similar way. He has already brought shame upon himself and the sport of boxing by his illegal actions. The WBA would do the same to itself by not following its rules.
Toney’s failure to appeal is all the justification you need to reject any request he makes for relief from the sanctions the rules of the WBA demand, and all that the rest of the boxing world should need to realize……
John Ruiz
WBA Heavyweight
Champion