Ruiz vs. Johnson - Painful To Watch

By Ed Ludwig

28.07 - The dreams of Kirk Johnson (32-1-1 23 KO's) becoming the WBA Heavyweight Champion went down the drain along with the thirty dollars I had to cough up to watch this farce called a fight. The Canadian cable companies decided to cash in on this by offering it as a pay per view event. It was bad enough having to pay for it but seeing this so called championship battle go the way it did feels like a low blow to me and all the viewers who paid for it.

John "The Quietman Man" Ruiz (38-4-1 27 KO's) retained his title via tenth round disqualification. Neither man looked like they wanted to fight. It was slow throughout. The only solid shot was landed by Ruiz, which knocked Johnson down in the ninth round. Referee Joe Cortez did not make the proper call as Johnson took Ruiz with him when he went down.

Kirk Johnson lost a point in the first round for a low blow and it would set the tone for the fight. Neither man threw or landed that often. Ruiz continued with his octopus style as he did in his three fights with Evander Holyfield. He would land while holding Johnson. In the fourth Ruiz went down for a second time as Johnson landed a low blow. Joe Cortez warned Johnson but he did not penalize him. After a brief break in the action the fight resumed.

Ruiz forced Johnson into the ropes and while in a clinch Ruiz landed a flagrant head-butt that Cortez did not see. The next couple of rounds were dull as both fighters were throwing pity pat punches and holding. Round seven Ruiz went down again from another low blow and Johnson was deducted a point.

The champion was in a crouched position as he was hit. It was low although not dead on. Ruiz took full advantage of the five minutes to recover. He looked like he was acting more than being than in actual pain. Larry Merchant and Emanuel Steward both said it was a clean punch that put Ruiz down. When the fight resumed they clinched and held. The few fans in attendance began to boo. In the eighth round Ruiz landed three punches and throwing only eleven. As with the previous rounds this was very dull.

Kirk Johnson would have been clearly ahead had he not lost the points. The ninth round is when the tide started to shift after Ruiz landed a solid right hand. This was the only action of the entire fight. In the tenth round Johnson landed another low blow and Joe Cortez immediately call a halt to the bout. There was not much to report. After watching this fight you would fall asleep much faster than taking a sleeping pill. It was that bad.

I can't put all of my thoughts into words except for the fact both John Ruiz and Kirk Johnson should both be ashamed of themselves. Ruiz did not want to mix it up and Johnson could not keep his hands up. During the post fight interview Ruiz stated that he wanted that "Girl" Lennox Lewis. I was willing to give Ruiz the benefit of the doubt after the snooze-fest with Holyfield. He is boring, timid and he wins without actually beating his opponents. That is my conclusion after tonight.

Kirk Johnson took his loss like a man. That will do nothing for him as the damage was done. He did not look good to begin with and I would be very surprised if there is a rematch. The year of inactivity certainly did not help him. It will be a long climb up the ladder for Johnson and a future title shot. As for John Ruiz this will lead to a fourth and hopefully final dance with Evander Holyfield.

There was not a lot of media attention leading up to this and I am glad because this was an embarrassment. My biggest regret was not waiting for the delayed broadcast. It is going to be free and if you did not see it then I suggest skipping it. I guarantee your stomach will be in knots and a laxative will be in order.

Ruiz vs. Johnson - Is Captain Kirk Ready To Set Sail?

By Ed Ludwig

25.07 - The pride of North Preston, Nova Scotia will be far from home come July 27th. That is when Canadian Heavyweight, Kirk Johnson (32-0-1 23 KO's) will challenge the reigning WBA Champion, John Ruiz (37-4-1 27 KO's) from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

By the time the two combatants step into the ring it will be the first time since last July that Kirk Johnson last fought. He defeated Larry Donald in an elimination bout and then had to wait for the Ruiz-Holyfield trilogy to play itself out. For the winner of this fight it could lead to a clash with the veteran Evander Holyfield who is now back in the picture after his technical decision victory over Hasim Rahman.

John Ruiz is just happy to be facing someone other than Holyfield. Kirk Johnson is thrilled to be knocking on the championship door. The odds makers in Las Vegas have Johnson as the slight favourite although I think this fight is even. This is a very appealing match up because of the difference in styles and for the fact Ruiz is at the top of his game and he should be a difficult challenge for Johnson.

The road to a title shot for Johnson has been a slow one when compared to other top contenders in the division. Johnson had to battle injuries and management problems therefore he had to wait longer than usual. I have been fortunate enough to see most of Johnson's fights and what he possesses is natural talent. Ring smarts combined with speed and power makes any of his opponents wonder what kind of night they are in for.

Should Johnson defeat Ruiz and claim a portion of the crown not only will he be on top of the boxing world he will also be the first Canadian born Heavyweight champion since the late Tommy Burns. In 1906 after 42 fights over a six-year span, Burns also known as Noah Brusso defeated Marvin Hart to become the first and last Canadian to hold the title.

Not much has been made of it in the media but for me personally a Johnson victory would be the ultimate achievement for him and boxing in Canada. George Chuvalo had two failed attempts in dethroning the legendary Muhammad Ali. Their second battle in Vancouver, BC was actually for the NABF championship. Trevor Berbick a native of Jamaica who now calls Canada home was the last resident to hold the title. Lennox Lewis who won a gold medal for Canada in the Olympics was never really accepted and subsequently left for his homeland of England.

Kirk Johnson can become a hometown hero and in doing that not only will he help himself but he will help boxing in Canada and put our great sport on the front pages and spark some interest from casual fans or people who don't really follow the sport. The sky is the limit and Johnson will do everything in his power to achieve ultimate glory. I hope he does not underestimate John Ruiz as the perception of him is changing more towards the positive following the Evander Holyfield vs. Hasim Rahman bout.

Critics said some less than flattering things about Ruiz and his skills. Styles make fights and with the Holyfield trilogy they simply did not mesh and create the excitement that all of us expected. With Holyfield looking good in his last fight it gave Ruiz more credibility and deservedly so. Like Johnson, Ruiz has the talent and a good team with him that has stuck by his side through the highs and lows.

Kirk Johnson will gain national pride and John Ruiz will hopefully silence his critics after the final bell rings. They are gentlemen and true assets to the sport of boxing. We are only a few weeks away and I know both will give it everything they have. With all of the attention being paid to Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko I suggest you do not miss Ruiz vs. Johnson because when it is over we will see the start of something special regardless of the winner.