Haye or Ruiz ... better title holder?

so far Ruiz and it'll stay like that

 

Ruiz of course... Not only did he had more defences, he fought better opposition and is a 2 time WBA beltholder.
The list clearly shows how horrific the WBA titlefights of the last 11 years were, but that isn't Ruiz fault of course. I never liked RUiz, and he hasn't been really significant in the last 5 years of his career, but Haye has a lot to catch up if he wants to be remembered as a better titleholder than Ruiz was.
It Probably never happens, because Haye is planning to retire this year and the only thing he can do to to surpass John is fighting and beating a Klit... Or go on some "Tysonesk" rampage, beating 3 guys in the following 9 months out of the following list; Chagaev, Boytsov, Povetkin, Chambers, Adamek, Solis, Peter.

 

Funny comparison.

 

The comparison is clearly in John's favour for the reasons mentioned by other posters. And it only gets worse when taking into account not only how ambiguous Haye's win over Valuev was but also by the FACT that Valuev himself should have held the WBA belt at that point anyway.

 

Ruiz. :smoke

I had a kind of grudging respect for John Ruiz.

Haye was interesting early on, but he's just annoying now.
His HW career has been not much more than a soap opera.

 

Thats a hard question.
No doubt Haye is better to watch and more exciting but Ruiz is a fighter that always fought good opposition and was willing to travel.
Ruiz as said by others on here was underated and very tough.

I guess this question will be easier to answer at the end of Hayes career

 

Ruiz by a mile.

 

Ruiz 100%

 

There is a difference between using holding as a SUPPLEMENT to actual boxing skill, and using it EXCESSIVELY as a replacement for them. Ruiz didn't have the boxing ability to be competitive at thew world class level without doing things like holding excessively, faking low blows, and other illegal tactics. Klitschko has actual boxing skill and uses holding as an adjunct to his world class boxing ability. Ruiz had no world class ability, so he HAD to cheat.

This is the issue with Ruiz - not that he held, but that he held excessively, and that he used these illegal tactics to attain a level in boxing his ability did not merit. And his connections with King allowed him to get away with it. This is just wrong - unsportsmanlike and disgraceful. It should be frowned on by all boxing fans who believe in fair play and achievement by merit, skills and ability.

THIS is why Ruiz is such a disgrace to the sport, and why even a mediocre titleholder like Haye should be regarded as better. At least Haye did it WITHIN the rules.

 

Ruiz by A LOT. He fought everybody, never ducked anyone. he was a great champion. i know many people would disagree with that statement, but he wasnt a big heavyweight and he always came to fight and did what he had to do to win. His record speaks for itself.