Michael Ruiz Wins in Highland

Bantamweight prospect Michael Ruiz Jr. remained unbeaten with an impressive four-round unanimous decision victory over Daniel Modad at the San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino in Highland, California this past Thursday.

Ruiz (7-0-1, 3 KOs) of Fresno, California was ready and raring to go when he got the short-notice assignment of Modad (2-4, 1 KO) of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. “They told me that I was fighting on Tuesday, but I have been ready,” says Ruiz. “I was ready just in case I got a call to fight. I tried to find out who he was, and found out he was a southpaw. So we just got ready for that.”

Despite not having much information on Modad entering the fight, Ruiz formulated a plan fit to his opposition during the bout. “He had really long arms, so every time he went to throw a hook, I stepped in with a jab and worked on the inside a lot,” explains Ruiz, who won by scores of 39-37 and 40-36 twice. “I worked on the inside because that is what we have been working on. I had him against the ropes multiple times. I was manipulating him, checking him and I was scoring a lot of points and hitting him with really good shots.”

The win comes three months after Ruiz last bout, a hard-fought draw with Jonathan Alcantara in Oakland, California. It was an off night for Ruiz last November, but the result helped motivate the young prospect as he waited for his next opportunity in the ring. “It felt wonderful to get back in there, because of what happened with the draw,” explains Ruiz. “I was training just to come back again. I want to fight so I can prove to people that I am better and that I am the best. I don’t want to fight for anything else. I just want to prove to people that I am good.”

Ruiz, who is promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions and managed by Repo Ric, hopes to back in the ring sometime in March.