Now
if that was enough to get the crowd enthused, prior to the weigh-in, a scuffle
broke out between the two fighter’s respective trainers, Alton Merkerson (Jones’
trainer) and Norman Stone (Ruiz’s manager). Norman Stone had concerns over how
the gloves that Jones will be using Saturday night were delivered to the Jones
camp instead of being delivered to the promoter at the weigh-in. This exchange
or words elevated into Merkerson landing a straight left hand to the mouth of
Stone causing a bloody lip and the two wrestled to the ground, along with the
entourages for each camp. (Photo by Deshong)
After
several minutes breaking up the brawl, the scene was restored back to the
business at hand, the weigh-in. Roy Jones Jr. (47-1, 38 KOs) tipped the scale
first and weighed in at 193 lbs. (including his warm-up suit). John Ruiz
(38-4-1, 27 KOs) then stepped up on the scale and weighed in at 226 lbs. This
results in a 33 lb weight advantage for Ruiz, which happens to be the 3rd
largest weight difference in the history of Light Heavyweight Champions vs.
Heavyweight Champions. In 1934, Tommy Loughran was 86 lbs lighter than Primo
Carnera, and in 1941 Billy Conn was 35 lbs lighter than Joe Louis. In both
bouts, the Light Heavyweight Champion came up short.Immediately following the weigh-in, I was able to pose a few questions to Ruiz.
Ron – How do you feel Johnny?
John – “I am ready to go and I can’t want until Saturday.”
Ron – What’s behind the controversy that just took place with the boxing gloves?
John – “I don’t know, I just heard that his gloves were delivered to his trainers and you can do all sorts of things with the gloves.”
Ron – Although Jones weighed in at 193, are you currently at the proper weight that you wanted to come in for this fight?
John – “I am, I feel good and I am ready to fight.”
Ron – Any prediction for Saturday night?
John – “I don’t have any prediction but I am ready to go 12 rounds.”
Well fans, we are down to 48 hours before the big showdown and you do not want to miss the action on Saturday night! Will size rule, or will speed prevail? The bout takes place at Caesars Palace by way of the Thomas and Mack Center in Vegas.