10.17.04 – Andrew Golota – Big Pole Has Lucky Charm: Colonna trained Golota for his first 22 fights and for his last three fights. Golota has never lost a fight when Colonna has been his trainer.
“Andrew and I have a certain understanding,” Colonna said. “A fighter and a trainer have to know what is expected of each other. In our case, we have that because you have to understand Andrew Golota. He’s different than any other fighter I have ever trained. I think I get more out of him than anyone else. When I see him going the wrong way, I’m the one guy that can get him to snap out of it.
“In this fight with Ruiz, he will be tested. Ruiz is difficult and he’s physical. Byrd is one thing, Ruiz is another. Ruiz might spin you, hit behind your head, hit you on your hips or hold you. You know he’s going to try to get Andrew to snap. My job is to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
“I am proud to be part of the show and I want to be part of something that unifies a real champion,” Golota said. Regarding Ruiz: “Nothing personal, Johnny, I love you. You too, Stoney. But you’re in my way and it’s going to go my way November 13th.”
ANDREW GOLOTA
Polish Strongman and No.5 Contender
Warsaw, Poland, now fighting out of Chicago 38-4-1 (31 KOs)
Training Site: Windy City Gym, Chicago
Trainer: Sam Colonna, who has also trained Angel Manfredy, Angel Hernandez, Vaughn Bean and many other Chicago-based fighters.
vs.
JOHN “The Quiet Man” RUIZ
Two-Time, and Current WBA Champion
Methuen, Mass. 39-4-1 (28 KOs)
Training Site: Fernwood Hotel and Resort, Bushkill, Penn. (Poconos)
Trainer and Manager: Norman “Stoney” Stone, who has been with Ruiz since he was an amateur.
Cornermen: Bobby Covino, Alex Riveria, Bryan Stone and Eddie Ruiz (brother)
Training Schedule: 8 a.m. run, 2 p.m. weights. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: training, evening sparring and gym workout.
“There are lots of great heavyweights on this show,” Ruiz said. “This is the perfect chance to see for ourselves, and for the public to see, who really has the talent and is the best.”
On Preparation (according to trainer Norman “Stoney” Stone): “Johnny is already in great shape and acting like a caged lion. He won’t even go out for his meals. We’re training for Golota with different sparring partners. Even the guys that specialize in illegal tactics. We will be ready and Johnny will show everyone he’s The Man at the top of the heavyweight heap. I have already hired two psychiatrists to try to explain to me why Golota does the things he does in the ring.”
“Bear” of a Tale: During his daily early-morning run in the Poconos on Oct. 6, Ruiz was joined by fellow Bostonian boxer Angel Vargas when they spotted a bear 25 feet up the trail. “Thank God that bear wasn’t hungry because we just turned and ran the other way,” Ruiz said.
Apparently, the wildlife population in the Poconos is strong, because Ruiz and other camp members have been dodging deer as well as bears while jogging on a four-mile loop they describe as “hills, hills and hills.”
What do Ruiz and Golota Have in Common Besides a Brawling Style? Neither Ruiz nor Golota are boxing “fans.” Both do not follow the sport, rarely watching other fighters or fights unless they are called upon to do so for promotional purposes. For these two “lunchpail” brawlers, boxing is where they “punch the clock” to make a living.
“Battle for Supremacy” is being presented by Don King Productions in association with Madison Square Garden and will be produced and distributed domestically by HBO Pay-Per-View, available to over 50 million pay-per-view homes, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on Saturday, Nov. 13 with a suggested retail price of $44.95 and broadcast internationally and on closed circuit by KingVision.
Tickets priced at $800, $500, $300, $150 and $75, are on sale now at the Garden box office and all TicketMaster locations or by calling TicketMaster at 212-307-7171, 201-507-8900, 631-888-9000, or 914-454-3388. TicketMaster purchases are subject to convenience charges.