Toney had no business being a HW. So that's a good point. I think skill wise, Jirov runs circles around the Quiet man, and was in his prime as a champion. Ruiz, regardless of personal opinion, was always a difficult fight for HW's.
He really was. As horrible as his style was to watch, I give him props for willing his fight to go his way, taking the more talented HW's out of theirs.
Yep, i'll say it again as it warrants it, a very tough man physically and mentally Ruiz. I remember a press conference where the media were basically rubbishing him and taking the **** before a fight and he went out and won. I was so happy for him, the satisfaction he must've felt time and time again I bet was good. Some will power right there !
Against great opposition, I'd agree. He put on a few pretty good HW performances in Holyfield, Booker, Ruiz & Peter I - but this was his last real brush with p4p greatness against somebody prime & relevant and themselves a serious player in the pound for pound sense. Makes it all the sadder that he missed the chance to exit on this high note to cap off a then-15-year career with only a small handful of losses in the mid-90's (three of them close, one to prime RJJ, no shame there) and has seen action within the last year and still not officially retired.
