Would it still be a lose lose situation for both fighters involved? Instead of "Ruiz sucked anyways" would it be just one latter day discredit to Jones? Would Ruiz be given any credit for a knockout win, considering it would of taken place before Johnson and Tarver got to him?
Probably somewhere in between all of these. It might depend on how Ruiz won. If it was by a crushing KO, then Ruiz might've got some credit, while Roy got some discredit (considering that he was the favorite going in). If Ruiz had simply humped and wrestled his way to a win (which is what I thought would happen), I don't think it would've done anything to hurt or help either fighter's reputation. Ruiz would've just won in his usual stinking manner in another fight he was the underdog in, and Roy (and his fans) could complain about Ruiz's constant holding and take pride that he went the distance with a much bigger man and wasn't embarassed.
At the time it had taken place, it was considered a lose-lose situation for Ruiz, and a win-win for Jones, in the press.
