Look at a guy like Pac's fanbase. Millions. Same for Cotto, Klitschkos, Holyfield, Tyson - millions. But John Ruiz, I never knew or met one single fan of his. It's a big world out there, does anyone know of any Ruiz fans out there? just wondering.
Yeah, there was one guy who called in tonguing Ruiz's balls on the grind boxing radio show a few months back.
He does have fans I am sure, but they are probably from his hometown in Chelsea. I think the reason John is not liked much is because his fights are not exciting, and when he fights someone good like Toney or Jones (who were from lower divisions) he was beaten rather easily and uneventfully. He doesn't have much power compared to most champions, so you know his fights are going the distance, and that lack of power is why Jones and Toney knew they wanted to win a title from him. He was the most beatable. He is seen as a guy who is good enough to win the title when he fights old Evander and Valuev. I think people see him as a waste of time as a champion since he just fills the space until someone comes along. Going back to the exposed as a weak champion. He never rematched Tua and I think in the back of people's minds they do not forget that fight. It was devastating.
I think he's a pretty good fighter, and will root for him against David Haye. David Haye, is too much of a primadonna.
John Ruiz is one of the nicest human beings you'll ever meet, the guy is a big gentle giant outside of the ring. My mother met him before I did and she kept talking about this John guy and how nice he was and then she mentioned he was a boxer and I knida wanted to see who it was and went to church to see who this John guy was. He is a great guy and given his limitations as a boxer he has accomplished a lot even tho he doesnt have a fan friendly style. But one thing is for sure, you cant take away from his heart cause the guy has gotten in the ring with pretty much everyone there is to fight in the Heavyweight division. I would have to say that I am a fan of his but more because of the kind of guy he is not because of his fighting style.
Yeah. Me. I don't particularly like watching him fight most of the time. I don't like how he's had so many undeserved title shots. But I'm a fan of anyone who has balls like he does. Ruiz knows no fear. He will fight anyone. You've got to respect that.
John Ruiz vs Carl Drummond would be lucky to get on espn. on popularity alone he is not worthy of fighting in world title fights, he brings nothing to the table. but you have to admire his career, longevity and fact he has been competitive with many of the greats of this era, and that he overcame that KO 1 loss to Tua early on to produce a pretty good career resume-wise. but as an attraction, he is a flyweight draw.