Mr. Excitement John Ruiz defends his title against Irish Billy Conn. Does Conn finally win the a Heavyweight title he just missed against Joe Louis????
Conn, who I rate higher at LHW than RJJ (also head-to-head), would box Ruiz ears of... Conn UD 12 Ruiz (9-3)
I post up a serious question and I get a response stating a centenarian would fail in his best shot at the title.
It depends on who the ref and judges are. If Ruiz can get away with his jab. mug, and clinch tactics, he might win the decision.
But in a fair fight, fought within the rules, it's no contest. Conn had more boxing ability in his pinky finger than the limited Ruiz had in his entire body - if the rules are properly enforced, he makes Ruiz look like the glorified clubfighter he is.
I am one of the few poster here in either Forum to give Ruiz his credit and question all the hate that goes down against a fighter who basically does it his own way and wins his share of fights against more gifted opponents, so I'm clearly not a Ruiz hater. With that all said, let me tell you that the Billy Conn who nearly beat Joe Louis and outclassed the best of the rest in two divisions would have thoroughly whipped Ruiz in a way that even Jones didnt do. It would have been no contest. Billy would have had absolutely nothing to fear from Ruiz and would have not just outboxed and outsped him, but would have battered him senseless. Conn was the "World War 2 Generation" in boxing gloves.
Ruiz can't do jab and mug against a faster fighter though. Thats why RJJ and Toney beat him Conn wins in his prime 120-108
Conn simply too fast afoot and with his hands for Ruiz. I don't think Ruiz has the speed to catch Conn, nor the power to take him out.