many people dont rate RJJs win against Ruiz as that great ( i think it was special but not ATG) so could any other great middleweights do it heres the list SRR Hagler Hopkins Tiger Monzon
You could easily find half a dozen middleweights who would beat Ruiz. Two of them esentialy did it in his own era. Sombody like Greb would crucify him.
If he had fought in the 1930s and had to take multiple fights against contenders back to back it is possible to imagine him droping a decision to a middleweight contender because the circumstances were bad on the day. If you are talking worst who could beat him theoreticaly then anything goes. Eugine Hart knocked out Tim Witherspoon in sparring.
so you think any half decent heavy beats him so jones feat isnt remarkble at all, it is more remarckable lifting the MW crown
I add Micky Walker to that list. Not sure about Pavlik, give him a few years, Hell I rank Kelly over Ruiz NOW.
James Toney since he did anyway. Not sure if Tiger has the style to beat him but someone like Jeff Clark would fought better big men would probably beat him.
It is unquestionably a remarkable feat but James Toney basicaly did it as well. That leads me to think that Sombody like Harry Greb, or Mickey Walker could also do it.
I think so. Mickey Walker holding Jack Sharkey to a draw is a more impresive feat than beating John Ruiz for my money.
I dont know about this. Ruiz could still punch and rough you up on the inside big time. It would take a fighter with a lot of speed to be able to avoid Ruiz. The one shot Ruiz connected on Jones, shook him a little. Im not so sure there was any guys who were as quick and elusive as Jones, and that included Sugar Ray. I think people discount Ruiz too much, he was quite competitive in a division that was average, but looking at todays division, it makes his accomplishments above average.