Heavyweight Shakedown begins this
Weekend
by
Jason Herron
4/30 - The glamour division in boxing is about to enter the spotlight for
the first time this year. James "Lights Out" Toney will challenge John
Ruiz for his WBA belt Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The heavyweight division drastically needs some action. Ring
Magazine heavyweight champion, Vitali Klitschko, is out until at least September
with a back injury, so the boxing world will turn its collective eyes
towards Toney and his exciting style of fighting.
Toney, (68-4-2, 43 KOs), is ranked number four by Ring Magazine. A
victory over the second ranked Ruiz would be just what the sport needs.
"Lights Out" is brash and cocky. Two words that will never be
mentioned in
the same sentence as Ruiz.
"The Quiet Man" is known more for his wrestling tactics and
painfully
boring fights, than he is for his boxing skills. A Ruiz win would mean
more
torture for the casual fight fan.
Look for the winner to unify with IBF belt holder, Chris Byrd. The
survivor would be the number one contender to Klitschko's throne.
Prediction: Ruiz, (41-5-1, 28 KO's), will try to fight inside
with the
smaller Toney. But "Lights Out" will not allow Ruiz to dictate the
pace.
Toney seems to be on a mission to conquer the heavyweight division.
The
challenger will prevail in a hard fought, split decision. This should
once
and for all rid the sport of John Ruizzzzzzzzzzzzzz. If not, don't
wake me
for his next "fight."
Jason's Prediction Record in 2005: 4-1.
The Ruiz-Toney fight can be seen on HBO's World Championship Boxing
Saturday night at 10 pm ET.
Jason Herron can be reached at: jasondfd@hotmail.com.
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