30.03.05 – JOHN RUIZ (41-5-1, 28 KOs): “I am the best; there is no doubt about it. I have fought everybody. I am the real heavyweight champion. I take my hat off to Toney for stepping up to fight the real man in the heavyweight division. He says he is going to bring it, and I hope he is there. I hope he does not sneak out the back door. It is going to be on. I am the best in the world. This will be a good fight, but it will not be the toughest fight for me..
“Come April 30, Toney is going to regret ever signing that contract.
“This is not a turning point; this is a stepping stone for me to achieve greatness and become the undisputed heavyweight champion. I am going after this guy. You will see.”
JAMES TONEY (68-4-2, 43 KOs)
“I cannot wait. I am finally fighting in the building I want to be in.
“If you look, I am No. 1 across the board. I give John Ruiz credit for stepping up to the plate, but come April 30, I am going to kill him good. I do not care about styles. Styles do not mean anything. I have seen every style in the world. I have been in this game for 18 years. I have been a world champ for 12. Ruiz cannot even touch that.
“I am going to be the WBA heavyweight champ of the world. I am ready to go no matter what. I do not care; you want to play rough, I will play rough. Boy, you have no idea. I tell you, I will hurt you. We can get it on right now.
“I do not play boxing. I do this for real.”
World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz will put his title on the line against three-time world champion James “Lights Out” Toney at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, April 30. The scheduled 12-rounder will be promoted by Don King Productions in association with Madison Square Garden and shown on HBO.