Is John Ruiz the worst Heavyweight Champion in 30 years, or of all time?

Having watched Ruiz vs Roy Jones Jnr recently, I was shocked at how inept and useless Ruiz was in using his size and what should have been punching power advantage, against RJJ.

It looked like Ruiz was struggling to land more than 2 shots at a time to RJJ, and even those were blocked by Roy's forearms.

Consider this was Ruiz's "Time to Shine", I would regard it as the worst effort by the reigning Heavyweight Champion I have ever seen.

Off the top of my head the only Heavyweight champion in the history of the sport who Ruiz might have been better than, was Jess Willard, but even that is a stretch.

Have I been too hard on "The Quiet Man", or simply assessed him fairly?

 

In a era with one title, Ruiz would've just been a contender.

So would Jones. Which is why the whole 'middlweight champ to heavyweight champ' is flawed. He just picked up a meaningless ABC title.

 

No.

I think Valuev is.

 

...He's better than Valuev, probably Peter too. Nah, I don't think he's the worst. He's in the running though. You made me laugh with the tags.

 

Michael Bent?

 

Bentt isn't amazing but he wasn't that bad, I mean he had a stellar amateur career but was mismanaged by his pro handlers

 

Valuev says Hello.

 

Beat me to it.

Any time I see a "worst Heavyweight" thread, Michael Bent's name immediately springs to mind.

 

Valuev has two wins against Ruiz though.

 

**** thread,

Ruiz has won the title 3 times FFS and beaten some good fighters

Try Frans Botha, try Gerrie Coetzee - try doing some research about fighters around more than 5 years ago

 

Ruiz is ****, he's up there with Bent.

 

Would one count the WBO Heavyweight Title back then as being comparable to the other 3 organisations?

 

Like who?

Holyfield used a zimmer frame on the way to the ring, when he fought the Boring Man.

 

No way, not even close

 

Ruiz is nowhere near the worst. Not a model, but he was capable enough to smack Holyfield.