congratulations to John Ruiz and commiserations to Evander Holyfield

LAS VEGAS, NV (InsideBoxing) - I say "better luck next time" to Holyfield because he fought strong and determined like a warrior should.  Evander will be back in the ring and has every intention on regaining a heavyweight title and becoming a five time world champion.  Regain a world championship it will have to be after losing his WBA championship to a strong hearted and honorable John Ruiz.

VIVA! John Ruiz became the first and only Latino heavyweight champion of the world.  He became the champion it in style.  We are not talking about a makeshift championship.  We are not talking about a "Mickey Mouse" championship by some unrecognized boxing organization.  We are talking WBA heavyweight champion of the world.

Ruiz took the belt from Holyfield by soundly taking charge in the final and championship rounds.  Defeating Holyfield in what was one of the better fights heavyweights can offer today.  From round one both fighters went toe to toe refusing to give any respect to one another.  In round two Holyfield would bust the left eye of Ruiz and look as if he would take charge and ride to an easy victory.  Holyfield would show no signs of being old and slow instead would show signs of brilliance and speed.  He fought with a straight  forward and aggressive style, landing beautiful combinations to the head of Ruiz.  Ruiz refusing to stand down would land his own effective punches keeping this fight close and a hard one to judge.  Going in to the 11th. round it could be anyone's fight, you had a sense that the fighter who wins the final rounds would win this fight.  As it turns out, the 11th. round would end up being the decisive round.  

By the 11th. round both fighters showing signs of weariness.  Ruiz a bloody mess, cut near both eyes and a gash on his forehead, complements of a head butt.  Holyfield starts the round strong and takes command as it looks like Ruiz had had enough.  However, a low blow would send Ruiz plummeting to the canvas and referee Cortez takes a point from Holyfield.  Ruiz would take most of the 5 minutes allowed by rule to rest and catch his breath.  As it turns out this was a well timed rest.  As combat resumes Holyfield would attempt to also resume his aggressiveness but ends up taking a furious right hand to the temple that would put him on the canvass.  The warrior would manage to his feet but clearly a hurt and beaten fighter.  Hugging and holding on to Ruiz was the only thing keeping Holyfield upright.  Round 11, would be at least a 10-7 round in favor of Ruiz.  Holyfield would now need a knock out in the 12th round to win this bout.  Holyfield would come out for the 12th. and final round obviously still hurt and in no condition to acquire a knock out of Ruiz.

Holyfield's plans of become the undisputed heavyweight champion will have to wait.  "It looks like I'm going to have to get back in line." said Holyfield after the fight. 

Ruiz wins the fight unanimously becomes the WBA Champion of the world and the first and only Latino heavyweight champion in the history of boxing to wear the crown.  The official scoring by the judges was:  Chuck Giampa, 115-111; Patricia Jarman-Manning, 114-11 and Stanley Christodoulou, 116-110. 

-Blackbull-