Just curious as to how people would rank a 9th round stoppage win over Ruiz on the records of the two Klits? I've seen quite a few people trashing Haye's wins at heavy so far, but to be fair i think a dominant stoppage of Ruiz is argubaly a top 3 win for either Klit and given that they've had 40 odd fights at heavy, i think Haye should be cut a little slack.
It's a good win, for Haye...not for either Klitschko. A win against a 38-year old part-time fighter in Ruiz (7 fights in the past 5 years) wouldn't be high on Wlad's list. In my opinion, it would rank behind wins agaisnt Eddie Chambers, Chagaev, Iggy, Byrd (twice), a prime Jamel McCline, Lamon Brewster rematch, Sam Peter and maybe even Tony Thompson. For Vitali it would rank behind Arreola, Sanders, K. Johnson and Peter.
A solid win for Haye - as he said himself its a benchmark, a serious question answered, and although a champion, there were still question marks against him, this went a way to answer those, until he faces a Klitschko we will never know for sure how good he is at Heavy. Fantastic at Cruiser, superbly entertaining at heavy we know, but the K Brothers are another kettle of fish. For the record, I think Haye beats both albeit with a strategy rather than a Ruiz style performance, possible Ko against Wlad. (that could be first to land though to be fair) Edit: I should change my avatar before commenting on Haye I realise!!!!!
It's a very good win, not to be taken lightly, but both Klitschko brothers have much better wins. It's still a very good win for Haye and goes a long way in answering some questions.
I think you're reaching quite a bit with a number of the names listed there. Ruiz is no great shakes, but has rarely been beaten convincingly in his career and is a two time world champion. That places him above the likes of Thompson and Johnson by a mile, Chambers too. It also shades him ahead of a good few of the others you've listed too, IMO.
so....in the beginning..."Ruiz is nothing"...a "bum that is going to be destroyed "by haye...said by his english fans.... have turned this into ....haye has beaten a warrior and an american great!... you guys pick whatever you like..and make a victory into something more special. Haye will never have a chance to punch wvlad or vitali behind the head....
Ruiz holds the distinction of being dominated by 2 middleweights. So in that sense I'd say he is a special fighter.
