By Steve Trellert
23.07 - According to the World Boxing Association, this Saturday's fight between incumbent WBA Champion John Ruiz and Challenger Kirk Johnson is a battle for the Heavyweight Championship of the World. Of course this is only true in the nominal sense, and about as accurate as a person claiming to be a millionaire after converting their one American dollar into Turkish Lira. Technically true, but verging on ridiculous. To the non-naive, those adamantly arguing the validity of the claim are either clowns or criminals, take your pick. Clearly this is not a fight for the Heavyweight Championship as Lennox Lewis is not involved, but that makes it no less interesting to those of us who keep a close eye on the Heavyweight picture. What we have here are two top ten contenders who have as of yet failed to garner much respect. A decisive win by either fighter this Saturday Night should but their particular battle for respect to rest, while the loser's agony carries on.
John Ruiz' initial claim to fame came at the reception of a devastating left hook from a prime and poised David Tua only 19 seconds into their fight. He has been wearing that albatross around his neck for what seems like an eternity and unlike John, many cannot let that result go. Ruiz clearly approached that fight improperly and came out against Tua as if he was Joe Blough from Palooka. He made a critical mistake in an early part of his career, so what, these things happen. One fight does not a career make but he has largely been judged as such and it is time for many of us to let that go.
Whereas this criticism is largely unfair, one can hardly argue that Ruiz was worthy of a title shot against Evander Holyfield. The WBA imposed mandatory he received was scandalous as John had accomplished little to that point and was essentially mediocrity at its most mediocre. The only pedigree worth noting was his contract with promoter Don King. Get the picture?
Nevertheless one cannot claim Ruiz did not take advantage of his opportunity. Grudging respect must be given for the determination and heart he demonstrated in those three fights. Additionally, not only did he fight hard, but also intelligently in keeping Evander off balance with his jab and awkward style. Though the official result was an even split, most felt John Ruiz won the trilogy by clearly taking two of the three. The public discounted Ruiz' performance as it was perceived to be against a washed up old man, but Holyfield's recent victory over former Heavyweight Champion Hasim Rahman has seemed to open a few eyes to the possibility that maybe John has more to offer than many suspect. Of course there still remains one strong argument against Ruiz and his claim to be an upper class Heavyweight, that being the matter of 'styles make fights'. A good performance against one top-level opponent is not enough of a sample size to judge his current form. A win over Kirk Johnson would surely demonstrate Ruiz to be more than just a one-shot deal. To get that albatross completely off of his neck and de-stigmatize himself, the "Quiet Man" needs to signal us loud and clear. Only then will he attain something greater than the re-possession of a questionable belt, Respect!
Kirk Johnson on the other hand has failed to earn respect for a completely different reason, that being his continued existence at the margins. Johnson arrived on the scene along with fighters such as David Tua, Hasim Rahman and Michael Grant, but while these three thrust themselves into the fire, Kirk remained on the outside unnecessarily biding his time. After years on the fringe, Johnson finally stepped up in taking on top five contender Oleg Maskaev. The result was stunning as Johnson caught him with a left hook and afterwards knocked him out through the ropes. This initially boosted Kirk's respect level but since then it has declined precipitously along with Maskaev's career as Oleg went on to lose two further fights against ever diminishing opposition. When you tie your wagon to one rock and that rock gets thrown into the river, your wagon gets pulled down with it and cannot help to get a little wet. A subsequent mediocre win over 'Nytol Larry' Donald could not prevent the discount of respect.
Now Kirk Johnson gets his shot against a man similar to himself. A fighter who has been around awhile but who has not done enough against top level opposition to gain the respect of the public. Pretender or contender, that is the question hovering over these two men. A decisive victory by either will launch the winner into the realm of Heavyweight contender and with that corresponding respect. The decisive loser will likely be disdained and disregarded. It is a heaven or hell situation with two fighters at the crossroads. Neither fighter can afford a close result, as that will neither gain respect or a likely shot at Lennox Lewis this fall. Once Michael Buffer puts down his microphone, somebody better be putting their foot down and making their own announcement. It is too good of an opportunity not to.
If you have any comments regarding this article, please post it in the Eastside Boxing message boards or email me at Vancanste@aol.com
