Whilst Haye is favourite it is stupid to whitewash Ruiz as being ****. He can spoil and is difficult to fight. He isn't as bad as most people make out because if he was, he'd have been brushed aside far more often than he has, in easy fashion. The fact is that Oquendo, Golota, Rahman and Holyfield failed to dominate him and the guy has only been stopped once when he was caught cold and blitzed by Tua. Ruiz is not the most exciting or maybe the most effective heavyweight, but if he is on his game and you are not on yours, then be prepared for a long night.
Ruiz would normally not be seen as dangerous, but the thought is that Haye is not a natural heavyweight and his chin is not great. So by those standards Ruiz is a natural heavyweight who could test Haye's chin. But in all honesty, Haye should win this fight by mid round knockout. That is my prediction, but if Haye cannot beat Ruiz, than he will not have a good chance to beat the Klitchko's or Tua or anyone with that kind of power. The Ruiz fight is a good barometer on Haye as a champion and his power. Valuev was too tall to make a really guess on anything, but Ruiz will test if Haye has the power of a heavyweight. That is why this fight is interesting.
Ruiz is difficult to look good against but that's it. I don't label him dangerous just incredibly hard to dominate esp. in a Tua fashion.
This is the best post and is exactly what I would say. Ruiz love or hate we mostly hate is a tough fighter and would make a nice name on Haye's empty record at HWT. Actually he would make a better spot on the record of any fighter. I'm a Klitscko fan but to be honest their main opponents have been young prospects who have not proven themselves yet and when they beat them they beat them so bad they ruin theiur careers before they get to prove themselves. I have as a fan wanted the brothers to beat guys who have had belts or challenges. Like Wlad beating Rahman and Chag were nice. Vitali beating Gomez Peter were nice. If they could have got wins over Ruiz and Lyahovich, Valuev, Briggs, Holyfield, or Toney all fighters they would destroy it would look great on a resume. So Haye fighting Ruiz to me is a great fight considering he fought Barret and he stunk it up against Valuev. If he can be exciting against the guy who is never exciting he can generate some real interest cause all of mine is gone after that Valuev fight.
WTF? All I said was Ruiz WON'T BEAT HAYE, and he won't. Anyone who thinks otherwise is kidding themselves.
Funny the only fight you talk about is the last minute replacement for Povetkin who was considered Wlad's mandatory due to his ranking ( rachman ) .. the record of his last 10 opponents is 307 wins to 16 losses.. and include 3 of the four heavyweight champions and four undefeated fighters ...with all but one of his opponents were ranked in the top ten.. and that was rachman who was still ranked right outside of it.... Now compare to Ruiz yeah he really is taking the easy road Ruiz hasnt has a significant win against decent competition since he beat golota in 2004atsch 6 years ago but hey he is 3-3 since then that sure compares to Wladamirs opponents if your too busy sucking Hayes balls to be objective:deal