LAS VEGAS (November 17, 2009) – Two-time World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz is a promotional free agent for the first time this century as he looks ahead to his 12th world title fight, mandated by the WBA, next year against new champion David “Hayemaker” Haye. WBA No. 1 contender Ruiz (44-8-1, 30 KOs), the first and only world heavyweight champion of Latino heritage, is open to discussions with interested promoters. Some had already contacted Ruiz’ manager/legal advisor, Atty. Tony Cardinale, before he left to represent Team Ruiz at the ongoing WBA convention in Colombia..
“It feels great to be free,” Ruiz said, “especially with another world title shot coming next year. I’m looking for a promoter who will stand behind me and have full confidence in me.”
Valuev Talks About His Decision To Fight Haye
Former two-time World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev felt compelled today to post comments on his company’s Website (www.box-way.ru) regarding his decision to agree to make an optional defense of his crown against David Haye in Nuremberg, Germany, which Haye won by majority decision.
Rampant speculation after the Nov. 7 match was fueled by press accounts attributed to World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko and former World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion Sultan Ibragimov implying Valuev may have been set up by his co-promoters, Sauerland Event and Don King Productions, into taking a fight that was not in his best interests.
“To avoid confusion or misunderstandings in this situation, I would like to note that my American promoter Don King was opposed to me fighting David Haye,” Valuev wrote. “In fact, Don King was upset when he learned that I had agreed to fight Haye.”
“My German co-promoters [Sauerland Event] did not inform Don King while the negotiations for this fight were being made. In the press, allegations that the American promoter supported this fight are unfounded and false. The choice of the opponent was made by Wilfried Sauerland. The idea to make this fight with David Haye came from Sauerland Event.”
MIGUEL ESPINO GETS TITLE SHOT
For nearly ten years, WBC CABOFE Middleweight Champion and former Contender alum Miguel Espino (20-2-1, 9 KO’s) has been fighting for a better life for he and his family in hopes of being a World Champion one day. Well now, he finally has that opportunity as Espino will be challenging Kelly Pavlik for his WBC and WBO World Middleweight Championship titles on December 19, 2009 in Pavlik’s hometown of Youngstown, Ohio.
This has been a dream in the making for Espino who fights out of North Hollywood and is ranked # 3 by the WBC. Under the tutelage of long-time trainer and mentor John Bray, Espino is now one fight away from being World Middleweight Champion; something that both Miguel and John knew could happen if he stayed focused and worked hard. Both have dealt with many obstacles in their lives; Espino caring for his legally blind mother and younger sister and Bray coming back from a near fatal stroke to becoming a world-class trainer and recent California Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee.
Since his last controversial loss in 2004 at the hands of Peter Manferedo Jr. on the Contender television series, Espino has been able to put together eleven wins in a row. His last win came in an impressive fashion over former World Light Middleweight Champion Alejandro “Terra” Garcia, who retired on his stool before the start of the sixth round. Although Espino hasn’t fought in eight months, he has been active in the gym training diligently with Bray. Asked about his pupil’s shot at the world title, Bray indicated that, “this is the opportunity that Miguel has been waiting for his whole life. Miguel knows that he has a tough fight ahead of him with Kelly Pavlik, but come December 19th he will put it all on the line in an attempt to become World Champ.”
When Espino was asked about how he felt at his opportunity for a title shot, he stated “I’ve been dreaming for this opportunity ever since I was kid and won my first trophy in the amateurs. I’m so appreciative of the opportunity that I have in becoming a World Champion and GOD willing if I’m victorious, I will be able to care for my mother and sister. ”