17.02 - Can he pull it off? Can the underdog overcome the favorite, despite all the odds? Can he win despite the fact that he will weight 40 pounds more than his opponent, can hit harder, and is accustomed to a true heavyweight's punch? That's right! John Ruiz, the natural heavyweight is the 2:1 underdog against the smaller, natural middleweight, Roy Jones Jr. Its a David vs. Goliath match-up. The only thing that seems strange is the confusion over which fighter is David, and which is Goliath.

The two fighters, as different as night and day, will be meeting in what is being called an historic match-up. How historic the fight really is, is up for debate. Jones is the undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion, moving up to face John Ruiz, the WBA Heavyweight champion, for his heavyweight title. Making it even more noteworthy is the fact that Jones won his first title at Middleweight. So former middleweight, super middleweight, and current light heavyweight champion is moving to heavyweight to fight for another championship. Basically, Jones is looking to be the heavyweight championship, and make history. The only problem is that John Ruiz is not the heavyweight Champion; he is merely a titleholder. This is not truly comparable to Michael Spinks moving up to face Larry Holmes in '86. Holmes was an undefeated heavyweight at that time, and more importantly he was the true linear champion. John Ruiz is a far cry from Larry Holmes.

Jones picked this moment to rise to the heavyweight ranks specifically to fight John Ruiz. He wants to be called heavyweight champion, and he finally, in the limited skills of John Ruiz, sees a chance to make it happen. Clearly, this is not an historical event on par with Spink's rise to the heavyweights ranks in 86, or Billy Conn's failed attempt in 46. However, even though the true heavyweight title is not at stake, (that title being owned by Lennox Lewis) Jones should be commended. This is a truly enormous challenge for him. Ruiz may not be the true champion, but he is undoubtedly a top 10, probably top 5, heavyweight. Roy Jones, who has been criticized (rightfully) in the past for avoiding tough challenges is stepping up to fight a top contender in a weight division in which most fighters are packing 230 pounds and more. As it now genuinely appears that this fight will actually take place, lets break it down.

Physical: Roy Jones, 34 years old, stands at 5'11 and has recently been fighting at 175 pounds. He has also fought at 160 and 168 before moving to 175. For this fight he will presumably be coming in at 191 pounds, a career high. He has a reach of 74 inches. In the other corner, Ruiz stands 6'2, and usually weighs about 230 pounds. Ruiz has a 78 inch reach. Ruiz has shown a decent chin at heavyweight, able to take most moderate level punches, as he showed for 36 rounds with Holyfield. However, Tua's 19 second demolition of Ruiz is still burned in my mind. Jones has shown an excellent chin, but has never tested heavyweight punches. Physically Ruiz has all the obvious advantages.

Skill: As far as skill is concerned there is no comparison. John Ruiz is not known for his incredible skill, speed, or power. But what he lacks in these categories he makes up for in grit, effort, and awkwardness. Ruiz has a formidable jab, and a decent overhand right. Making his jab even more dangerous is the usual grapple that follows. Ruiz uses his jab, grapple, and every once in a while, a deceptively potent right to win, what many call, ugly fights. Jones on the other hand is smooth, fast, and has a limitless variety on punches. He is unconventional, and often show-boaty, throwing lightening fast punches from every angle with pin-point precision. Most would argue that he is the most skilled and physically gifted fighters in the world today, and on par with the greatest skilled fighters of all time. His heart, on the other hand, is still being questioned. Even Ruiz can't question the variance in skills levels between the two.

Resumes: There is really no comparison between these two fighters in measuring their laurels. John Ruiz went pro in 1992. He built up a decent record early on and in 1995 he won the WBC international title, a minor belt. In the late 90s he won the NABA and NABF titles as well. In 2001 he finally won a major title by defeating Evander Holyfield. That WBA belt he won from Holyfield is now at stake against Jones. Ruiz currently has a record of 38 wins, 4 loses, with 27 wins by knockout.
Jones went pro in 1989. By 1993 he was the IBF middleweight champion. In 1994 he moved up to 168 pounds and won the IBF title at that weight. After numerous defenses he moved, and settled into the light heavyweight division in 1996. Over the next 7 years Jones consolidated all three major titles at 175 pounds, as well as several of the minor, fringe titles. Jones now has a record of 47 wins, 1 loss, with 38 wins by knockout. Jones obviously has the more accomplished career, but all of these wins have come at the lower weights.

Potent Notables: Ruiz has fought some pretty formidable fighters at heavyweight. In 1994 Ruiz fought, and lost to, Danell Nicholson. His next big name opponent was David Tua. Tua needed only 19 seconds to crush Ruiz. In 1998 he beat an aging Tony Tucker by TKO. In 2000 and 2001 he fought Holyfield to one win, one loss, and one draw, each time with the WBA title on the line. In 2002 he fought and defeated top contender Kirk Johnson to defend his title.

Jones has fought most of the top fighters between 160 and 175 pounds. In 1992 he fought and beat Jorge Castro. In 1993 he beat Bernard Hopkins for the middleweight title. In 1994 he beat Thomas Tate, and moved up to 168 and beat James Toney as well. Soon after that he beat Vinny Paz and Eric Lucas. In 1997 he hit a speed bump, in Montell Griffin. Griffin gave Jones a heated, competitive fight for 9 even rounds before Jones was disqualified for hitting Griffin while he was down. In the rematch Jones quickly beat Griffin in one round. In 1998 he crushed Virgil Hill, and then for the next 4 years embarked on fighting a long line of decent, B level, fighters such as Glenn Kelly, Julio Gonzalez, Derrick Harmon, and Richard Hall. In 2000 however, he did defeat top contender Eric Harding. Throughout all these fights numerous titles were on the line.

Common Denominator: As these fighters have fought so many pounds apart they have not fought any common opponents.

What have you done for me lately: In his last 5 fights Ruiz has fought Kirk Johnson, Evander Holyfield three times, and Thomas Williams. In 1999, he knocked out Thomas Williams, an unknown fighter, in two rounds. He then had three ugly, grueling, matches with Evander Holyfield, basically fighting even. In his last fight he schooled Kirk Johnson, who had to resort to constant low blows, until he was disqualified. In four of his last 5 fights Ruiz has faced top level opposition, and has done pretty well for himself.

Jones' last five fights have been against Clinton Woods, Glenn Kelly, Julio Gonzalez, Derrick Harmon, and Eric Harding. Jones blew the unknown fighters Glenn Kelly and Clinton Woods away in quick fashion. He pounded on Julio Gonzalez for 12 rounds, and gave Derrick Harmon a 10 round beating until scoring a tenth round TKO. Eric Harding gave a spirited performance, but lost via TKO when an arm injury forced him to quit.

Predictions: Now that all the information has been put forward, its time to make a prediction. The odds makers are making Jones a 2:1 favorite. No doubt on the assumption that this is not a classic big man versus little man, but instead a limited big man against an extraordinary smaller man. And although that may be true, we are not speaking about someone moving from lightweight to welterweight, where the difference is 10 or 12 pounds. In this case Jones will move up 15 pounds, and face an opponent who will still outweigh him by 40 pounds.

Honestly, I am having a great deal of trouble making a prediction. Some days I can't imagine Jones being able to stand up to a fighter of Ruiz's size. I see Ruiz pushing him against the ropes and clubbing him with that right hand. Other days I can't see Ruiz landing a clean shot, while Jones pops in and out, pot-shoting his was to an easy victory.

Actually, there are too many variables in this fight to clearly see the possibilities. With Ruiz we know what he brings to the table, more or less. Some days he looks a bit better than others, but overall he is consistent. What we will see from Jones is big question mark. How much speed will Jones carry at 190 pounds? Will his power increase with the new weight? How will Jones take the punch of a real heavyweight? With all these variables, I am going to go with what I know, and that is that Ruiz is bigger. Much, much bigger, and if he works the jab and is able to grapple, lean on, and wear down Jones as the fight moves on he should be able to overpower the light heavyweight champ. So, my prediction is Ruiz, but I wouldn't bet my house on it.

Any questions or comments. E-mail me at Beowolf88@aol.com