John Ruiz > today's Heavyweight titlists

He was a solid fighter and would be competitive in this era but I think he'd struggle with today's title holders.

Wilder is his best chance at winning. Wilder if he boxes wins, but if he fights like he did vs Molina or Duhaupas it would really suit Ruiz's mauling style. Wilder would load up, and fall in giving Ruiz the chance to use his rough house tactics inside. Wilder also despite his height isn't that heavy, he would have a clear strength advantage over Ruiz, especially with his weak legs and higher centre of gravity. Wilder's only chance is to fight like he did against Stiverne or Arreola and keep moving. Maybe Ruiz wins a decision in an ugly fight, maybe Wilder wins a UD while on his bike. I favour Wilder though, he's the one that will dictate how the fight plays out while Ruiz has to rely on Wilder making a tactical error. Wilder has also shown even in tough fights his power can bail him out, one good shot is all he needs.

The Fury that beat Wlad, schools Ruiz. That height, jab and constant movement will see Ruiz struggle badly. His jab and grab style relies on him getting off first then stepping in and mauling preventing any counter, Fury's size would prevent Ruiz getting off first and his movement prevents Ruiz getting in close to maul him and even if he did Fury has shown he can be rough and dirty on the inside himself. Fury wins a UD.

Joshua might have a few problems early as he'll likely make the rookie mistake of being too aggressive and allow Ruiz to get inside and maul him. He'll struggle to get a rhythm with the constant stop, start style of Ruiz. But he'll eventually do what he did against Whyte and Breazeale and take a step back, be less aggressive and try to establish his jab. Joshua on the inside as well will clearly have a strength advantage he's naturally 20lbs heavier than a lean Ruiz and Ruiz won't have as much success inside as he would with most. Eventually as AJ establishes his distance and wears down Ruiz with his strength and power he'll have more success and likely stop him late.

 

Good post, Brighton.

 

Andy Ruiz Jr > John Ruiz

 

Ruiz was a cheater and a fraud. His mysterious rise in the rankings after getting starched in 19 seconds by Tua is entirely the result of his signing with Don King, as is the favorable treatment he got from refs for his ILLEGAL holding tactics.

There isn't a Ruiz "victory" against decent competition where he shouldn't have been disqualified for excessive holding. Worse yet, in at least three fights - Jimmy Thunder, the second Holyfield fight, and Kirk Johnson - Ruiz ridiculously overacted to get bogus "low blow" calls that allowed him to get a crucial point deduction to "win" an undeserved decision over Thunder, avoid getting counted on out on a body shot (Holyfield) or obtain a thoroughly undserved DQ "win" against Johnson.

And then, of course, there are the gift decisions, the worst being against Andrew Golota, where Golota knocked Ruiz down twice, landed more punches, and yet still somehow didn't get the decision!

That's what connections to King will get ya! Without King, Ruiz would've been lucky to win some regional belt, let alone hold the WBA belt hostage for several years. His entire misbegotten career is illegitimate - the product of CHEATING of one form or another!

 

Yeah. Probably.

 

Ruiz was so hard to watch. Wlad, Povetkin ko him. Fury out boxes him. Joshua out slugs him. Ruiz would probably be a 70-30 favorite over Wilder